Detailing the Historical Penalty Shootout Record and Recent Cup Success of the Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Rivalry
Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup semi finals on Tuesday night after a dramatic 8 7 penalty shootout victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. The match ended in a 1 1 draw after regulation time, forcing a high stakes shootout to decide the final four participant. Arsenal appeared to have the match won in the 80th minute when a Bukayo Saka corner caused chaos in the six yard box, resulting in an own goal from Palace defender Maxence Lacroix. However, the visitors fought back deep into stoppage time as Marc Guehi pounced on a loose ball to equalize in the 95th minute.
The impact of the victory is significant for Mikel Arteta's side as they continue their pursuit of multiple trophies this season. The win sets up a high profile two legged semi final against London rivals Chelsea, with the first leg scheduled for mid January. For Crystal Palace, the loss is particularly painful as they were minutes away from an exit before Guehi’s late heroics gave them a lifeline. The match was a physical encounter that saw several players deal with the intensity of a congested holiday schedule. Arsenal’s ability to remain composed during the shootout demonstrated a growing maturity within the squad under pressure.
Reactions to the shootout centered on the performance of Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who emerged as the hero of the night. After fifteen consecutive successful penalties from both sides, Kepa guessed correctly to save a low effort from Lacroix, who had a difficult evening after his earlier own goal. Mikel Arteta praised his team's emotional stability, describing the match as emotionally tough due to the late equalizer and the pressure of the shootout. On the other side, Palace manager Oliver Glasner expressed pride in his team's resilience, noting that they deserved to take the game to penalties after an improved second half showing.
The strategy for Arsenal throughout the match involved heavy rotation, with Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus receiving starts to manage the fitness of the regular starters. While the Gunners dominated possession in the first half, they were frequently frustrated by Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez, who made a series of spectacular saves. In the second half, Arteta introduced Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka to inject more creativity and clinical finishing into the attack. This tactical shift eventually led to the corner that forced the opening goal. Defensively, the Gunners relied on the aerial dominance of William Saliba to handle Palace's set piece threats.
Looking ahead, the future outlook for Arsenal involves a quick turnaround as they prepare for their upcoming Premier League fixtures against Brighton and Aston Villa. The successful navigation of this cup tie allows the club to remain competitive on all fronts as the 2025 season enters its most critical phase. For Crystal Palace, the focus shifts back to the league and securing their position in the top half of the table. Supporters from both sides will remember this quarter final as one of the most exciting matches of the tournament. The Gunners now move one step closer to their first League Cup trophy since 1993.