Arsenal survive penalty lottery to set up blockbuster London derby semi-final
Arsenal booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after edging past Crystal Palace on penalties in a tie that swung violently in the closing stages at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side were made to work far harder than the scoreline suggested after failing to capitalise on a dominant first-half display.
Arsenal should have been out of sight before the break, creating chance after chance while Palace clung on through resilience and inspired goalkeeping.
Stand-in goalkeeper Walter Benitez was the visitors’ outstanding performer in the opening 45 minutes, repeatedly denying Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke from close range.
Gabriel Martinelli tormented Palace down the left flank, yet Arsenal’s finishing deserted them as crosses and cutbacks went unpunished.
Palace offered little threat before half-time and were fortunate to reach the interval level after surviving sustained pressure.
The pattern shifted slightly after the restart as Palace steadied themselves and Arsenal’s fluency dipped.
Arteta introduced Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in search of a breakthrough as frustration grew inside the stadium.
The deadlock was finally broken late on when Maxence Lacroix inadvertently turned the ball into his own net under pressure from a corner.
It appeared enough to send Arsenal through, especially after Palace lost Chris Richards to injury during a lengthy stoppage.
However, Palace refused to fold and forced extra time with a dramatic equaliser deep into added minutes.
Marc Guehi reacted quickest to a knockdown from a free-kick and slid the ball home in the 95th minute to stun the home crowd.
Extra time followed, with Arsenal pushing for a winner while Palace focused on survival.
Declan Rice came closest to settling it, only to be denied once again by the excellent Benitez.
The tie eventually went to penalties after neither side could find a decisive moment.
Both teams converted their first seven spot-kicks in a tense shootout that tested nerve as much as technique.
The decisive moment arrived when Lacroix stepped forward and saw his effort saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Arsenal goalkeeper guessed correctly and produced a strong stop to send the Gunners into the last four.
It was a cruel end for Lacroix after an unfortunate night, but a fitting conclusion to a contest defined by fine margins.
Arsenal will now face Chelsea over two legs for a place in the final.
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