Maxence Lacroix was the villain for Crystal Palace as he scored an own goal and then missed the crucial penalty to give Arsenal a place in the Carabao Cup semi-final after a dramatic tie that went to penalties.
An eventful conclusion to normal time saw Arsenal – frustrated for so long after Walter Benitez made a stunning seven saves to keep them out – go ahead when Lacroix deflected Jurrien Timber’s shot from a corner – but Palace did not finish.
Marc Guehi scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to silence the Emirates and force penalties – which ended up being a masterclass from the spot.
There were 15 perfect penalties until Lacroix arrived – only for Kepa Arrizabalaga to keep him out in just his fourth game for Arsenal.
The result means the Gunners will meet Chelsea in the two-legged semi-final of the Carabao Cup, which begins on January 13.
WATCH: Normal drama in the Emirates!
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After several attempts by Arsenal to try and direct the ball towards goal, a touch from Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix diverted it into the net.
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Marc Guehi equalizes for Crystal Palace in injury time to send their Carabao Cup clash with Arsenal to penalties
What normally happened
Mikel Arteta made eight changes to his Premier League side but his much-changed attack hit a brick wall in Palace goalscorer Benitez.
Noni Madueke saw three shots on goal saved by the Argentine striker – but his best save of the match came to deny a point-blank header from Gabriel Jesus – making his first Arsenal start in 345 days since his injury.
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Walter Benitez denies Noni Madueke just before half-time to keep the score alive despite mounting pressure from Arsenal
Gabriel Martinelli was the source of much of Arsenal’s attacking joy, consistently outplaying winger Jaydee Canvot who was forced off at half-time.
Palace improved after the break with Jefferson Lerma and Adam Wharton firing in good chances against a frustrated Arsenal, who saw Martinelli come off on the hour after failing to clear a first-half shot.
But when Jesus saw a header go wide and another curling effort picked up by Benitez, Arsenal finally had the chance their pressure deserved against a resilient Palace side, who also had Chris Richards stretched before the winner.
Timber pushed Saka’s corner towards goal and it took two deflections before nestling into the net, but Palace would bounce back with a free kick of their own.
Adam Wharton’s free kick was blocked by Jefferson Lerma and Guehi put the ball between Kepa’s legs.
Arsenal could have won when Timber had a good chance to score, but Benitez’s seventh save of the game kept the score level on penalties – where Kepa was the hero
Arteta: Equalizer was emotionally difficult to accept
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta:
“I’m really happy considering the amount of changes that were made, the cohesion, the energy and the quality that the team showed against a team that was very, very well organized and conceded very few chances. We generated a lot of things.
“The gap should have been much bigger after 94 minutes. It wasn’t and when that happens teams have the quality to help you in any set piece and we conceded the goal.
“It was emotionally difficult to accept after how the match went, but I think we stayed calm. We showed a lot of composure and quality during the penalty shootout.”
Analysis: Another late goal should concern Arteta
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz at Emirates Stadium:
“It’s something we need to improve on,” Kepa said. “We conceded at the last minute.”
Brian Brobbey to Sunderland. Emiliano Buendia to Aston Villa. Toru Arokodare against Wolves and now Marc Guehi against Crystal Palace. Four late goals conceded should worry Mikel Arteta.
Marc Guehi’s stoppage-time equalizer for Crystal Palace took their Carabao Cup quarter-final to penalties
What’s troubling is that all four goals involved crosses – and the shots came from the middle of the penalty area – the area of the pitch where most teams defend first, then take care of the rest later.
Yet Arsenal – normally a solid, defensive outlet that wins duels – is developing a trend. Even in the 1-0 win over Everton this weekend, VAR was lucky not to punish William Saliiba for conceding a penalty.
Arsenal have progressed slowly in the last two results – controlling games but taking too many risks. A lack of defensive cohesion due to injuries – Piero Hincapie being the latest injured – could explain this. The same goes for the busy festive calendar which could add a burden to those which already cover others.
Arteta is calling for bigger margins and more firepower – Gabriel Jesus is back and Kai Havertz is not far away – could add more goals to ease the nerves. But Arteta has a growing problem – and it’s not just injuries.
Glasner: Benitez kept us in the match
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner tells Sky Sports:
“Second half, proud. A very good goalkeeper, who kept us in the match but in the second half I saw a different team.
“Coming back here was really great. I don’t know if I’ve seen a penalty shootout where all the penalties are taken so well.
“We have to build on the second half performance, everyone tells us we are tired, but if you can change and play like we did in the second half at the Emirates, that’s very positive.
“We were braver and a lot more aggressive. We played more in their half. It was much better than the first half, we were too passive.
“It’s not easy to play here against Arsenal. What we showed in the second half was really good.”
Arsenal are preparing to accumulate matches in 2026!
With their place confirmed in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, Arsenal are poised for a busy start to 2026!
They are expected to play every three to four days in the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League…
Saturday January 3: Bournemouth (A) – Premier League, kick-off 5:30 p.m., live Aerial sports
Thursday January 8: Liverpool (H) – Premier League, kick-off at 8 p.m., live Aerial sports
Sunday January 11: Portsmouth (A) – FA Cup third round, kick-off 2 p.m.
Wednesday January 14: Chelsea (A) – Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, kick-off at 8 p.m., live Aerial sports
Saturday January 17: Nottingham Forest (A) – Premier League, kick-off 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday January 20: Inter Milan (A) – Champions League, kick-off at 8 p.m.
Sunday January 25: Man Utd (H) – Premier League, kick-off 4:30 p.m., live Aerial sports
Wednesday January 28: Kairat (H) – Champions League, kick-off at 8 p.m., live Aerial sports
Saturday January 31: Leeds (A) – Premier League, kick-off at 3 p.m.
Tuesday February 3: Chelsea (H) – Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, kick-off 8 p.m., live Aerial sports
Saturday February 7: Sunderland (H) – Premier League, kick-off at 3 p.m.
Thursday February 12: Brentford (A) – Premier League, kick-off at 8 p.m.
