Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said it was “emotionally tough” to accept Crystal Palace’s stoppage-time equaliser before his team went on to win 8-7 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in their Carabao Cup quarterfinal.
The game at the Emirates could have been over by halftime as the hosts spurned a number of chances with Palace’s number two goalkeeper Walter BenÃtez in excellent form to keep the score goalless at the break.
The breakthrough for the Gunners came 10 minutes from the end of the match. Riccardo Calafiori headed down Bukayo Saka’s corner, William Saliba went for it and amidst the confusion as Palace scrambled to clear defender Maxence Lacroix put it in his own net.
Palace hit back in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Jefferson Lerma rose to nod the ball down at a corner and Marc Guéhi reached it first to squeeze it between the legs of Kepa Arrizabalaga. It was Palace’s first shot on target.
After 15 perfect penalties, Lacroix was the unlucky party again, Kepa diving to his right to put Arsenal through, but Arteta was unhappy his side had not finished the tie earlier.
“Considering the number of changes we made, the energy and he quality we showed against a well organised team that concedes few chances, we generated a lot,” he said.
“The margin should have been much bigger. They weren’t, and when that happens teams have the quality to hurt you on a set-piece. That was emotionally tough to accept, but we stayed calm, showed great composure and quality in the shoot-out.
“I’m very happy for Kepa making the last save.”
ESPN
