Mikel Arteta was pleased with the composure his team showed as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace on penalties in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Arsenal looked on course to reach the last four after leading late on through Maxence Lacroix’s own goal, but the Gunners conceded a 95th-minute equaliser as Marc Guehi forced penalties for Palace at the Emirates.
After a marathon shootout, Arsenal prevailed 8-7 on spot-kicks to progress, with the unfortunate Lacroix seeing his effort saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Arsenal will now face Chelsea over two legs in the semi-final. Arteta was delighted with the win, as the North Londoners reached the last four of a competition they last won in 1993.
“I’m very happy. We’re in the semi-final, it’s where we wanted to be,” the Spaniard said.
“I’m really happy considering the amount of changes that we’ve made – the cohesion and the energy and the quality that the team showed against a team that is very, very well organised and concedes very few chances.
Consistency, quality and togetherness ✊
Mikel was impressed with the character on show tonight 📺
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 24, 2025
“We generated a lot and the margin should have been much bigger after 94 minutes. It wasn’t, and when that happens the [other] teams have the quality to hurt you in any set-piece, and we conceded the goal.
“That was emotionally tough to accept after the way the game went. But I think we stayed calm, we showed great composure and quality in the penalty shootout and I’m very happy as well for Kepa, that at the end he made the last save and we are through.”
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