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Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 8-7 on penalties for place in EFL Cup semi-final
Lacroix own goal gives Arsenal breakthrough but Guehi levels
Arteta will face Chelsea in a two-legged semi
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That is all for this live page as Arsenal win 8-7 in the shootout to beat Crystal Palace and get into the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
That's the last of the football in England until Boxing Day.
Thank you for joining us and for your comments.
Merry Christmas.
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino speaking to ITV: "Unbelievable. It was more complicated than it should be to be honest. An amazing first half, we created so many chances. The team deserved to win comfortably today but this is football. This is why football is so great and everyone loves it. So to penalties, but a win is a win and we are in the semi-finals.
"This is the highest level and if you don't take your chances, they will take one. So we have to learn from mistakes. We all want to score. At the end of the game we cannot give away the throw ins, the free kicks. We have to be more composed."
On Kepa's penalty save: "So pleased for him. He deserves it. He's a very good guy, a hard worker and giving his best every training session. So happy for him. Many penalties and the decisive one he saves it. It shows everyone in this team has their time and he saved us."
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 on pens)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaking to Sky Sports: "Very happy to be in the semi-final. We played against a team that is very difficult to generate chances against. We generated a lot and should have scored many more goals than the one we scored. When you don’t close the games, it [conceding] can always happen. A set-piece, a long throw or a wide free-kick, it can happen.
"I think the players were so composed with the penalties and in the end, Kepa managed to save one. We are where we want to be."
Asked about Gabriel Martinelli's injury: "He could not carry on so we had to make the sub. But we were really good, we generated a lot of chances.
"In the second half, they were more aggressive and we generated chances but we didn’t find the trigger in the right moment to put the ball in the back of the net. But overall, another victory and I’m really happy."
Happy with the performance after making eight changes? "It is always tough. They don’t always have the right chemistry, there’s a lot of changes and some of them haven’t played together, but their attitude is excellent.
"We had some big individual performances tonight - great to have Gabriel Jesus make his first start in nearly a year and his 100th appearance for the club. Kepa, as well, his level of commitment with the group is just incredible."
How important is it to be within touching distance of silverware? "It’s the second season in a row we are in the semi-final of this competition, so, yeah, a game every three days. We have the Christmas period right now. I wish everyone a happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year, and we will be here again in a few days."
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 on pens)
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner speaking to ITV: "It is always the case that in penalty shootouts one kick is the difference. Today we missed it but there is nobody to blame. In the first half we had a bad performance but then coming back like we did in the second half was much better.
"Then when we conceded the goal it was deja vu from the league game. Then coming back again is a huge credit to the players and then in a penalty shootout anything is possible. We already won two this year but today Arsenal were the lucky ones. They took them so well.
"I've seen many penalty shootouts but I can't remember one where every single one was taken so well. Then OK one has to miss otherwise we will shoot until tomorrow. Unfortunately we were the ones [to miss] today but we can build on the second half performance.
"The way we played in the second half, the way we matched them, everybody is telling us: "So many games, you're fatigued, you're tired" but if that is the case you can't come back like we did. Not in the second half with this performance and not in the second half after 1-0. If we build up on the second half performance we will play a very good season."
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 on pens)
Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
On the upcoming semi-final against Chelsea:
It is two teams that are just going to go for it, and there is no love lost between them.
I have been there as a Chelsea player to the Emirates and it is hostile. Very rarely is the Emirates hostile, but it is for that game.
Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 on pens)
Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter at Emirates Stadium
Kepa Arrizabalaga was the hero as he saved the decisive penalty from Maxence Lacroix to help Arsenal beat Crystal Palace and progress to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup in a game packed with late drama.
The Gunners thought they had won the match when the unfortunate Lacroix scored an own goal in the 80th minute, bundling the ball into his own net when trying to clear after an Arsenal corner.
However, Palace got a dramatic leveller in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Adam Wharton floated in a free-kick and Marc Guehi was the quickest to react to Jefferson Lerma's knockdown to score from close range.
Declan Rice then had a chance to win the match for Arsenal with the last kick of the game, but he could not score past the excellent Walter Benitez.
The stand-in Palace goalkeeper had been their best player throughout the match, making two excellent saves from Gabriel Jesus to keep the scores level until the latter stages.
The Palace centre-back's night got worse when he stepped up with the score at 8-7 in a high-quality penalty shootout and Arrizabalaga got down well to his right to push the ball away and give Arsenal the win.
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
Glenn Murray
Former Crystal Palace and Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 at Emirates Stadium Live
On Palace's recent dip in form:
This was always going to be an issue for them because of the fall off of quality from their first 13-14 players and the amount of games that they have played in Europe.
This is why Glasner brought it up to the chairman, so they could add more bodies in January.
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Barry: Does Kurt (22:36) and others not realise that the own goals - in all cases - come about due to unremitting pressure? They don't happen by accident.
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 on pens)
Glenn Murray
Former Crystal Palace and Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 at Emirates Stadium Live
On whether Arsenal's struggles to score from open play is concerning:
No I don't think so. As far as I'm concerned they found a way.
When I look at the chances from open play, I thought they were pretty good in creating the opportunities. I just feel as though they came up against a really inspired keeper tonight that was at the top of his game.
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 on pens)
Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
You have to go back to Tottenham in terms of when Arsenal last played a really fluid, 'on it' game. So there is a little question mark there for me.
Arsenal have started to stumble a little, but they still can fall back on set pieces.
They will look back on tonight and will be thinking, 'We could have scored a hatful' - well perhaps they should have scored a hatful.
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Arsenal still haven’t hit their sweet spot this season, but they’re top of the league, top of the Champions League, and into the semi-finals of the League Cup. Got to be grateful for where we are right now, and the performances will come as the season goes on. COYG!
Johnny
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 on pens)
Glenn Murray
Former Crystal Palace and Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 at Emirates Stadium Live
Everyone that stepped up to that spot this evening [for Arsenal] had an assuredness about them, a real confidence about them. Seasoned professionals, international players.
You felt much more confident when the Arsenal players were stepping up rather than the Crystal Palace players.
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 on pens)
Arsenal keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga speaking to Sky Sports: "We should take some of the opportunities we had in the first half. We played so well. Then they changed and adapted a little bit and the second half was more 50-50. Even when it was like this we had big chances. It's something we have to improve.
"We conceded in a couple of games in the last minute and so that is something we have to improve and focus on."
On keeping belief during shootouts: "You have to keep cold and think of the next one. Don't lose your focus because as soon as you save one, maybe it's decisive."
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 on pens)
Arsenal defender William Saliba speaking to Sky Sports: "We are so happy to be in the semi-final. You have to learn the lessons from last season because we got to the semi-final and lost the two games. [This time] we want to win both games and go to the final."
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Lacroix gave Arsenal the lead and then sent them through by missing his penalty. Familiar story. Although on balance they were worth the win, Arsenal have let opposition players do the job for them far too much recently. They need to get the end result for themselves.
Kurt
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 on pens)
Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
It's really good practice for Arsenal to win games like that.
You very rarely get to practice penalties for real. All of those players that managed to take the penalties have now had the practice to walk up to the spot, they know how it feels, and what it feels like to score.
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 on pens)
Glenn Murray
Former Crystal Palace and Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live at Emirates Stadium
It only took Kepa one time to go the right way and it was the defining moment. The save that puts Crystal Palace out and Arsenal through to the semi-finals. Right now the Emirates is absolutely rocking.
Crystal Palace will be left licking their wounds. They have given everything here tonight, but they have just come up short.
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Calling it now, Arsenal are winning nothing this season. Such a blunt attack and can’t rely on own goals to silverware.
Noah, Bedford
Yay! Kepa finally dived the right way!
Olly
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 on pens)
John Murray
BBC football correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live at Emirates Stadium
You have to feel for Lacroix. Scorer of the own goal and the only player to see his penalty saved. Kepa finally went the right way. Arsenal win 8-7 on penalties.
Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 on pens)
Arsenal will face Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup after beating Crystal Palace 8-7 on penalties.
Maxence Lacroix, who scored an own goal earlier tonight, has his penalty saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga after 15 perfect penalties from either side.
Image source, Getty Images
Fifteen penalties were scored before Maxence Lacroix's effort was saved to put Arsenal through
At a glance
Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix scores own goal and has decisive penalty saved
Arsenal to face Chelsea in two-legged semi-final
Marc Guehi equalised in 95th minute to take game to spot-kicks
Chris Richards stretchered off for Crystal Palace
Mikel Arteta made eight changes to Arsenal side that beat Everton
Kepa Arrizabalaga was the hero as he saved the decisive penalty from Maxence Lacroix to help Arsenal beat Crystal Palace in a shootout and progress to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup in a game packed with late drama.
The Gunners thought they had won the match when the unfortunate Lacroix scored an own goal in the 80th minute, bundling the ball into his own net when trying to clear after an Arsenal corner.
However, Palace got a dramatic leveller in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Adam Wharton floated in a free-kick and Marc Guehi was the quickest to react to Jefferson Lerma's knockdown to score from close range.
Declan Rice then had a chance to win the match for Arsenal with the last kick of the game, but he could not score past the excellent Walter Benitez.
The stand-in Palace goalkeeper had been their best player throughout the match, making two excellent saves from Gabriel Jesus to keep the scores level until the latter stages.
The Palace centre-back's night got worse when he stepped up with the score at 8-7 in a high-quality penalty shootout and Arrizabalaga got down well to his right to push the ball away and give Arsenal the win.
The Gunners move into the last four of the competition and will face London rivals Chelsea over two legs for a place in the final.
Mikel Arteta will be pleased that his side managed to get through penalties to reach the semi-finals but the way that his players managed the tie will have disappointed the Arsenal manager.
The Gunners were again far from their best and missed a host of chances before Lacroix's late own goal.
Arteta made eight changes to the side that beat Everton 1-0 at the weekend, with Gabriel Jesus coming in for his first start in 345 days after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury - and the performance felt disjointed.
Even by his own standards Arteta was exceptionally emotional in his technical area, and only became more lively as the game ticked into the final couple of minutes.
William Saliba gave away a needless free-kick in stoppage time which led to the Palace equaliser but fortunately for him, his team-mates ensured that his mistake did not lead to them exiting the competition.
Arsenal had a small wobble recently, with draws against Sunderland and Chelsea and a loss to Aston Villa, and even though they have started a new run of victories, Arsenal are not near to the levels of performance they set at the beginning of the season.
For Crystal Palace, 2025 has been one of the best years in the history of the club.
With the FA Cup and Community Shield in the trophy cabinet and a first European campaign under way, things are pretty good in south London.
However, there is the feeling that things could be even better if their top-class manager Oliver Glasner had more options in his squad.
The Palace boss made three changes to the side thrashed at Leeds but the Eagles have started to falter and look tired in recent weeks, as their increased fixture schedule starts to catch-up with their relatively small squad.
However, in the main, Glasner has made them exceptionally resolute and it was that belief that helped them equalise late on.
Palace are without injured key player Daniel Munoz, lost Chris Richards to what looked like a serious injury during the game and have striker Jean-Philippe Mateta carrying an injury, but Glasner is still managing to keep his side competitive in multiple competitions.
The Eagles almost forced their way through to the last four but, although disappointed, they should be pleased with the fight they showed against a top team.
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Manager:Mikel Arteta
Formation:4 - 3 - 3
Manager:Oliver Glasner
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Manager:Mikel Arteta
Formation:4 - 3 - 3
Manager:Oliver Glasner
Formation:3 - 4 - 2 - 1
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