Arsenal Vs Crystal Palace: Kepa Arrizabalaga The Hero As Gunners Enter League Cup Semifinal

Arsenal Vs Crystal Palace: Kepa Arrizabalaga The Hero As Gunners Enter League Cup Semifinal Arsenal have reached the League Cup semi-finals for the second consecutive year as they aim for their first trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2020. Kepa Arrizabalaga emerged as Arsenal’s hero in the League Cup quarter-final, making a crucial penalty shoot-out save that added to Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix’s dismal evening on Tuesday. Lacroix’s own goal had given Arsenal the lead with 10 minutes remaining at the Emirates Stadium, before Marc Guehi’s stoppage-time equaliser forced a 1-1 draw. The match then moved to a penalty shoot-out, where both teams successfully converted their first seven attempts. Arsenal’s William Saliba scored their eighth, and Kepa dived to his right to save Lacroix’s kick, securing an 8-7 victory for the Gunners. Recommended Stories This was a significant moment for the Spanish goalkeeper, known for refusing to be substituted before Chelsea’s League Cup final penalty shoot-out loss to Manchester City in 2019, and for missing a spot-kick in the 2022 League Cup final shoot-out defeat to Liverpool. Arsenal will face London rivals Chelsea in the semi-finals over two legs in January and February, while Manchester City will play holders Newcastle in the other semi-final clash. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting that while they created numerous chances, they failed to capitalise on them. He praised Kepa for his commitment and the players for their composure during the penalties. Arsenal have reached the League Cup semi-finals for the second consecutive year as they aim for their first trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2020. The club has only won the League Cup twice, with their last victory in 1992-93. Following Christmas celebrations, Arsenal will focus on the title race with home games against Brighton and third-placed Aston Villa to close out 2025. Winning their first English title since 2004 remains their primary goal, although a League Cup win in March would be a significant boost. Arteta made eight changes to the side that won against Everton on Saturday, but still fielded a strong line-up including William Saliba, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus. Jesus, who had been sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury since January, started for the first time in 345 days after making a substitute appearance against Club Brugge earlier this month. Noni Madueke, another of Arteta’s changes, had two early chances but was denied by Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez, who delivered an impressive performance. Benitez made a series of saves, including one against Jesus’s close-range header and another from Madueke. Jurrien Timber also missed a header, leaving Arteta wondering if Arsenal would ever break through. Arteta introduced Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in the second half, with Odegaard making an immediate impact. Arsenal finally took the lead in the 80th minute when a corner from Saka led to Lacroix scoring an own goal under pressure from Saliba. However, Palace equalised in the 95th minute with their...

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