Arsenal Set Up Carabao Cup Semi-Final Clash With Chelsea After Penalty Drama Against Crystal Palace

Arsenal booked a Carabao Cup semi-final meeting with Chelsea after edging past Crystal Palace on penalties in a tense quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, December 23.

The tie finished 1-1 after normal time before the Gunners prevailed 9-8 in a dramatic shoot-out, with Maxence Lacroix enduring a night to forget. The Palace defender had earlier diverted the ball into his own net and then saw his decisive penalty saved to send the hosts through.

Arsenal looked in control for long spells and thought they had done enough to win it late on when Jurrien Timber’s effort sparked a frantic goalmouth scramble. The ball eventually went in off Lacroix after 80 minutes, with Palace defenders desperately attempting to clear it off the line.

However, Palace refused to fold. Deep into stoppage time, Marc Guehi rose to meet Jefferson Lerma’s header and stabbed home from close range, forcing penalties and silencing the home crowd.

The shoot-out was of the highest quality. Fourteen spot-kicks were converted without a blemish before Lacroix stepped up. He aimed low to the goalkeeper’s left, but Kepa Arrizabalaga guessed correctly and smothered the effort, sparking wild celebrations.

Earlier in the evening, Arsenal had been the sharper side, especially before the break. Stand-in Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez produced a string of impressive saves, notably denying Noni Madueke three times and getting down smartly to keep out Gabriel Jesus.

Palace grew into the contest after half-time and went close through Adam Wharton’s long-range strike, while Jesus squandered two presentable chances at the other end as the tension mounted.

Despite being taken all the way, the numbers told a clear story. Arsenal outshot Palace 25 to eight and dominated the expected goals count.

The win continues an encouraging run in the competition. Having already seen off Brighton in the previous round, Arsenal have now beaten successive Premier League opponents in the Carabao Cup for the first time since the 2010-2011 season, a campaign that ended in final defeat to Birmingham City.

Attention now turns to a two-legged semi-final against Chelsea, with the first leg scheduled for January 14 and the return leg at the Emirates on February 3. The winner will face either Manchester City or holders Newcastle United in the final.

Carabao Cup Semi-final Fixtures and Kick-off Times

First Leg

Newcastle United vs Manchester City

13 January
9 p.m.

Chelsea vs Arsenal

14 January
9 p.m.

Second Leg

Arsenal vs Chelsea

3 February
9 p.m.

Manchester City vs Newcastle United

4 February
9 p.m.