Kepa Arrizabalaga penalty heroics send Arsenal to League Cup semis after shootout win vs Palace

London: Kepa Arrizabalaga emerged as the hero for Arsenal in a dramatic League Cup quarter-final on Tuesday, producing the decisive penalty save to deny Crystal Palace and end a nightmare evening for defender Maxence Lacroix.

Late Drama at the Emirates

In a contest, the Gunners dominated but struggled to put away. An 80th-minute own goal by Lacroix appeared to have secured a semi-final berth for Mikel Arteta’s side. However, the Eagles stunned the Emirates Stadium in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Marc Guehi tapped home an equaliser from Jefferson Lerma’s header to force a 1-1 draw and send the tie to a shootout.

The ensuing spot-kick marathon saw 15 consecutive successful penalties. After William Saliba converted Arsenal’s eighth attempt to make it 8-7, Kepa dived to his right to smother Lacroix’s low effort, sparking wild celebrations.

A Moment of Redemption

For Kepa, the save offered a sense of personal vindication. The Spanish goalkeeper has a checkered history with the League Cup, having famously refused to be substituted before Chelsea’s 2019 final shootout defeat to Manchester City and later missing the decisive kick in the Blues' 2022 final loss to Liverpool.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his keeper’s resilience and focus:

"Kepa, his level of commitment with the group is just incredible. 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."

Despite making eight changes to the side that defeated Everton on Saturday, Arteta fielded a strong lineup that included the return of Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian striker made his first start in 345 days since suffering a major knee injury, having previously returned as a substitute against Club Brugge.

Title Ambitions and Cup Hopes

Arsenal's victory sets up a two-legged semi-final against cross-town rivals Chelsea in early 2025. In the other half of the bracket, Manchester City will face defending champions Newcastle United.

As the current Premier League leaders, the Gunners are prioritising their first league title since 2004. However, with the club seeking its first piece of silverware since the 2020 FA Cup, the League Cup remains a primary objective.

"We generated a lot and should have scored many more goals. When you don't close the games, it can always happen that you concede," Arteta noted, expressing relief after the "emotionally tough" late equaliser.

With inputs from AFP