December 24, (THEWILL) — Arsenal advanced to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup following a penalty shoot-out triumph against Crystal Palace after a 1-1 draw at the Emirates. Maxence Lacroix’s missed penalty, saved low by Kepa Arrizabalaga, proved decisive after 14 consecutive successful spot-kicks from both sides.
The Gunners dominated the opening period but were repeatedly denied by Palace substitute goalkeeper, Walter Benitez, who produced several important stops to thwart Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus. Palace grew into the contest after the interval, with Adam Wharton testing Arsenal from distance shortly before the hour mark.
Arsenal broke the deadlock with 10 minutes remaining when Jurrien Timber’s shot deflected into the net off Lacroix following a scramble in the penalty area. Palace refused to concede defeat, however, and Marc Guehi equalised deep into stoppage time, sweeping home from close range after Jefferson Lerma’s header.
The quarter-final tie went to penalties, with both teams converting their first seven attempts. Kepa then dived to his right to smother Lacroix’s effort directed towards the bottom-left corner, sending Mikel Arteta’s side through to the last four.
The victory keeps Arsenal on course to end a five-year wait for silverware. Jesus spurned two good opportunities before the breakthrough, whilst Benitez’s first-half heroics ensured a shootout conclusion to the tie.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
