Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the League Cup semi-finals, with Kepa saving the crucial spot-kick in the shoot-out
22:45, 23 Dec 2025
Arsenal's French defender #02 William Saliba (L), Arsenal's Danish defender #16 Christian Norgaard, Arsenal's English midfielder #49 Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal's Belgian midfielder #19 Leandro Trossard and Arsenal's Dutch defender #12 Jurrien Timber celebrate at winning the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium, in London on December 23, 2025. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
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Arsenal progressed to the EFL Cup semi-final(Image: ADRIAN DENNIS, AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal scraped through to their third League Cup semi-final in five seasons, narrowly edging past Crystal Palace on penalties.
The Gunners dominated the first half and could have been comfortably ahead at half-time had Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus or Jurrien Timber converted any of the golden opportunities that came their way.
Despite numerous chances in the second half, it was an own goal from Maxence Lacroix, following a Bukayo Saka corner, that finally broke the deadlock. The performance merited more goals, with Walter Benitez undoubtedly the standout player for the visitors.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Kepa Arrizabalaga of Arsenal saves the eighth penalty from Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace to win the penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on December 23, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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Kepa Arrizabalaga was the shootout hero(Image: Clive Mason, Getty Images)
However, a late strike from Marc Guehi forced the game into penalties, after Jefferson Lerma's towering header set up Guehi for a tap-in. Arsenal advanced to the semi-finals, with Kepa emerging as the hero in the penalty shoot-out.
Here's how the Daily Star Sport rated the performances of the Arsenal players.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – Had very little to do in the first half. The same was true in the second half until the 95th minute when Marc Guehi tapped in from close range. It took eight attempts but Kepa eventually saved Maxence Lacroix's penalty to send the Gunners through. 7.
Jurrien Timber – Caught out a couple of times on the ball in his own half in the first period. Had a few significant chances which he couldn't capitalise on. 6.
William Saliba – Made an excellent challenge on the last man Mateta when it was absolutely necessary. He had a nice moment weaving through several Palace players before delivering a great ball to Martinelli. He made a fantastic tackle on Mateta in the second half to prevent the French striker from taking a shot in the box. 8.
Riccardo Calafiori – Had a chance from a corner to hit the target but skewed a shot with the outside of his boot over the bar. He made some daring runs through the middle of the field which disrupted play nicely. He caused the chaos in the box with his header from Saka's corner that would eventually be turned into his own net by Lacroix. 7.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – Made a good tackle on Mateta in the first half to prevent a clear run at goal. His passing was a bit frustrating for Arteta, who didn't try to hide it on the touchline, but the youngster drove the team forward really well at times. 7.
Christian Norgaard – Impressed in the middle and was the designated long throw taker. He was good at reading the game, disrupting play and raised the question why he's not been trusted more often. Was quite impressed with his work on the night. 7.
Mikel Merino – Played a beautiful ball through the Palace midfield to find Eberechi Eze in the box. Arsenal perhaps missed the energy they usually get from Declan Rice but the Spaniard helped to keep the progressive movement going. 6.
Eberechi Eze – Had a quiet first half but missed a golden opportunity in the second when a Madueke cross found him, only for him to fluff his lines. 6.
Noni Madueke – Had an early chance after winning the ball high up the pitch and was later found by Martinelli, but his shot lacked power. Despite missing another close-range opportunity against Benitez, he continued to find himself in promising positions. 7.
Gabriel Jesus – Was unfortunate not to score with a strong header that forced Benitez into a low save. His link-up play was impressive, helping the wide players get involved, and his performance improved further when Odegaard came on. Wasteful finishing. 7.
Gabriel Martinelli – Provided a superb pass to Madueke, which should have resulted in a goal. He had some great duels with Canvot and delivered dangerous crosses. However, a knee collision saw his performance dip in the second half, leading to his substitution by Trossard. 7.
Substitutes:
Leandro Trossard – Came on for Gabriel Martinelli in the second half and caused problems down the left with his quality crosses. 6.
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Martin Odegaard – Made an immediate impact upon coming on, delivering a fantastic cross that Jesus narrowly headed wide. Arsenal are clearly a stronger side with their captain on the pitch at present. 7.
Bukayo Saka – The substitute's corner was the catalyst for Lacroix's own goal, with a superb curling cross that Calafiori turned into chaos with his header. 7.
Declan Rice – Came on for Gabriel Jesus towards the end of the match. Had a last-minute opportunity thwarted by Benitez. 6.