Arsenal Edge Crystal Palace in Dramatic Carabao Cup Shootout Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after defeating Crystal Palace 8-7 on penalties following a dramatic 1-1 draw after normal time on December 23, 2025. The match, held at the Emirates Stadium, was a tense affair that hinged on late drama and an epic penalty shootout, with defender Maxence Lacroix experiencing both an unfortunate own goal and the decisive penalty miss. Match Analysis: The game unfolded as a classic tale of Arsenal's persistent attack against Crystal Palace's resilient defense. First Half Dominance: Arsenal, despite making several changes to their starting XI, dominated the first half, creating numerous opportunities. Crystal Palace's second-choice goalkeeper, Walter Benítez, was a standout performer, making several crucial saves from Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke to keep the score level at the break. Late Drama in Normal Time: The deadlock was finally broken in the 80th minute when Bukayo Saka's corner led to an own goal by Palace defender Maxence Lacroix, who inadvertently bundled the ball into his own net under pressure. Just as Arsenal thought they had secured a victory, Palace equalized in the fifth minute of stoppage time (90+5) through a close-range finish from Marc Guehi after a knockdown from Jefferson Lerma's header. Epic Penalty Shootout: After 15 perfect penalties were scored between both teams, the shootout reached a climax. With the score at 8-7 to Arsenal, Maxence Lacroix stepped up for the decisive spot-kick, but his effort was saved by Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, sending the Gunners into the next round.
Arsenal 1 - 1 Crystal Palace
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Significance and Impact The victory carries significant weight for both clubs as the season progresses. For Arsenal Trophy Ambitions and Momentum: The win keeps Arsenal in contention for four trophies this season and maintains their momentum. Securing the Carabao Cup in March could serve as a valuable springboard for success in the Premier League and other competitions, silencing critics who point to their lack of recent silverware. Squad Depth and Resilience: Mikel Arteta made eight changes to the starting lineup, demonstrating the squad's depth and ability to perform under pressure. The ability to win in a high-stakes, "emotionally tough" environment fosters strong team morale. Injury Concerns: A potential negative impact is a knock to Gabriel Martinelli, who was forced off with an injury during the match, deepening existing injury problems for the club. For Crystal Palace Focus on Other Competitions: While painful, the defeat might be a blessing in disguise, allowing manager Oliver Glasner's side to focus their energy on the Premier League and the UEFA Conference League, alleviating the strain of a congested fixture list. Brave Performance: Palace's performance, particularly goalkeeper Benítez's heroics and the character shown to equalize late, provides confidence and evidence of a well-organized and resilient team capable of challenging stronger opponents. Next Fixture Arsenal will face Premier League rivals Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, a two-legged affair with the first leg scheduled for January 14, 2026.
