Gunners triumph 8-7 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, with Kepa Arrizabalaga the hero at the Emirates
Arsenal edged past Crystal Palace in a dramatic Carabao Cup quarter-final on December 23, 2025, advancing to the semi-finals after a tense penalty shootout victory at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners won 8-7 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time, booking a spot in the last four amid high drama in this pre-Christmas London derby.
The match started cautiously, with both sides rotating squads due to fixture congestion. Arsenal, fresh from securing top spot in the Premier League for Christmas, dominated possession but struggled to break down a resilient Palace defense. The breakthrough came in the 80th minute when Maxence Lacroix unluckily turned a Bukayo Saka cross into his own net, giving the hosts a lead they scarcely deserved on the balance of play.
Palace, fatigued from a heavy schedule including European commitments, refused to lie down. In the dying moments of stoppage time—90+5 minutes—captain Marc Guéhi rose highest to head in a dramatic equalizer from a set-piece, sending the tie into extra time and forcing penalties. The late goal stunned the Emirates crowd and highlighted Palace's fighting spirit under Oliver Glasner.
Extra time brought more chances but no further goals, setting up a nerve-wracking shootout. Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga proved the hero, saving a crucial spot-kick, while the Gunners converted all but one of theirs. The decisive penalty sealed an 8-7 triumph, echoing last season's quarter-final where Arsenal also progressed against Palace, albeit in normal time with a Gabriel Jesus hat-trick.
Mikel Arteta's rotated side featured strong performances from the likes of Eberechi Eze—haunting his former club—and Declan Rice, who marshaled midfield effectively. For Palace, Guéhi's leadership and the own-goal misfortune encapsulated a valiant effort that ultimately fell short. The Eagles' schedule has been punishing, with recent heavy defeats underscoring their challenges.
This win keeps Arsenal's hopes alive for silverware in the Carabao Cup, a competition they've targeted amid their Premier League title push. Fans celebrated the resilience shown in overcoming the late setback, with social media buzzing over the penalty drama. Palace can take pride in pushing the leaders all the way, but attention now turns to league recovery.
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