Arsenal have discovered the team they will face in a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final in early 2025. The Gunners beat Crystal Palace 3-2 on Wednesday evening with a Gabriel Jesus hat-trick inspiring them to victory with goals from Jean-Phillipe Mateta and former player Eddie Nketiah either side of that making things nervy.
Mikel Arteta was forced into a number of changes during the game with several fringe players struggling. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard offered a spark in attack with the duo providing the assists for Jesus. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes also came on for the final minutes but could not prevent Nketiah from scoring.
After the game, Arteta offered his verdict on the display and the two-legged tie that awaits his side. "Really happy. We’re in the semi-final," he admitted in a press conference. "The game started in a way we didn’t want with a very simple goal and then the team had to react in a great way.
"(They) showed a lot of character and so much desire to turn things around. Even in the first half (when) we lacked some threat, we created two or three big chances and didn’t score. With a few adjustments in the second half we got a grip of the game again and we looked threatening."
Liverpool and Newcastle also advanced to the last four on Wednesday evening with Tottenham joining those three teams after beating Manchester United in a seven-goal thriller. Dominic Solanke (x2) Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min all scored but it was far from an easy win with Amad, Joshua Zirkzee and Jonny Evans all on target.
With the full line-up for the semi-final complete, the draw followed Spurs' victory with the Gunners to face Newcastle over two legs. The other tie therefore will see Liverpool face Tottenham.
The first leg will be played the week commencing January 2025 with the second leg arriving a month later. The final will then take place in late February at Wembley Stadium with holders Liverpool looking to win their first trophy under Arne Slot.
Tottenham are also seeking to win silverware for the first time in over 15 years Newcastle meanwhile, will be keen to avenge their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United in 2022.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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