Kepa saves Arsenal in League Cup shoot-out drama

Kepa Arrizabalaga was Arsenal’s hero as his decisive penalty save sealed an 8-7 shoot-out victory over Crystal Palace in the League Cup quarter-finals at the Emirates Stadium.

The Spanish goalkeeper denied Maxence Lacroix after the Palace defender had endured a miserable evening, scoring an own goal to give Arsenal the lead before Marc Guehi’s stoppage-time equaliser forced extra drama.

Redemption for Kepa

It was a cathartic moment for Kepa, whose career has been marked by high-profile penalty shoot-out disappointments. He famously refused to be substituted before Chelsea’s League Cup final defeat to Manchester City in 2019 and missed a spot-kick in the 2022 final loss to Liverpool.

This time, however, he delivered when it mattered, diving to his right to keep out Lacroix’s effort after William Saliba had converted Arsenal’s eighth penalty.

Arsenal edge through

Mikel Arteta’s side, chasing their first trophy since the FA Cup in 2020, are into the League Cup semi-finals for the second successive year. They will face Chelsea over two legs in January and February, while Manchester City meet holders Newcastle in the other tie.

Arsenal have only won the competition twice, most recently in 1993, but victory in March would provide a significant boost to a club still striving for their first league title since 2004.

Jesus returns after long lay-off

Arteta made eight changes from the weekend win at Everton but still fielded a strong line-up including Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.

Jesus started for the first time in 345 days after recovering from a serious knee injury, having returned as a substitute earlier this month. The Brazilian was denied by Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez, who produced a string of fine saves to frustrate Arsenal.

Noni Madueke spurned early chances, Riccardo Calafiori poked over from close range, and Jurrien Timber headed wastefully wide as the Gunners struggled to break through.

Late drama

Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were introduced in the second half, and Arsenal finally broke the deadlock in the 80th minute when Saka’s corner caused chaos and Lacroix, under pressure from Saliba, diverted the ball into his own net.

Palace, playing their third game in six days, hit back in stoppage time. Adam Wharton’s free-kick was headed down by Jefferson Lerma and Guehi slotted home their first shot on target.

That set up the shoot-out, where both sides converted their first seven penalties before Kepa’s intervention sent Arsenal through.