Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (8-7 pens): Kepa denies Lacroix to decide high-quality EFL Cup shoot-out

Arsenal clinched their spot in the semi-finals of the EFL 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 were 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 hosts.

Arsenal finally got the breakthrough following 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 wonderful spot-kicks from each side, Kepa guessed correctly to deny Lacroix and boost Arsenal’s hopes of ending their five-year trophy drought.

SEMI-FINAL SPOT SECURED pic.twitter.com/LtAv6DOkKu

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 23, 2025

Data Debrief: Gunners’ patience pays off

Arsenal had to stay patient to win this tie, being taken the distance despite out-shooting their opponents by 25 to eight and winning the expected goals (xG) battle by 2.76 to 0.91.

Having also defeated Brighton 2-0 in the fourth round, the Gunners have won successive EFL Cup matches against fellow Premier League teams for the first time since 2010-11 (versus Tottenham, Newcastle United and Wigan Athletic).

They reached the final that season but were memorably beaten by Birmingham City. A two-legged tie against Chelsea now awaits Arteta’s men, with the victors going on to face Manchester City or holders Newcastle United in the final.