Arsenal knocks Crystal Palace out of Carabao Cup
Arsenal clinched a spot in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory over Crystal Palace, with Maxence Lacroix missing the decisive spot-kick after a 1-1 draw.
Lacroix also put through his own net after 80 minutes, seemingly putting Arsenal on the brink of victory, but his fellow centre-back Marc Guehi forced a shoot-out with an instinctive stoppage-time finish.
The first 14 kicks were all successful, but Lacroix then saw his effort – directed towards the bottom-left corner – smothered by Kepa Arrizabalaga to send the Gunners through.
Arsenal was much the better team in the first half, with replacement goalkeeper Walter Benitez almost keeping Palace in the tie single-handedly. He made three good saves to keep out Noni Madueke, and another down to his left to deny Gabriel Jesus.
But Palace improved in the second half and went close through Adam Wharton's long-range drive just before the hour mark, while Jesus wasted two good chances for the host side.
Arsenal finally got the breakthrough after a goalmouth scramble, with Jurrien Timber's drive deflecting in off Lacroix, despite multiple players attempting to hook it off the line.
But Mikel Arteta's side would require penalties to advance after Guehi ghosted onto Jefferson Lerma's header to sweep home from close range.
After seven spot-kicks from each side, Kepa guessed correctly to deny Lacroix and boost Arsenal's hopes of ending its five-year trophy drought.
