Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Match Preview
This competition may not be Mikel Arteta or Oliver Glasner’s top priority this season, but that hasn’t stopped their teams from creating a spectacle full of blood and thunder. It was one-way traffic for Arsenal in the first half, but Crystal Palace second-row goalkeeper Walter Benitez was in inspired mood as he kept his team in the contest with some excellent saves. Max Lacroix’s own goal seemed to have booked a semi-final place against Chelsea as Chris Richards required stitches with a serious leg injury. But Marc Guéhi had other ideas and his goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time took this rematch of last year’s quarter-final to penalties Arsenal’s Shootout Hero Arrizabalaga
Denies
The H istorical Rivalry: Arsenal’s Shootout Hero Arrizabalaga
Denies
The first 15 were all successful, but the unlucky Lacroix left Arsenal with his spot kick saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga. “We conceded the goal and it was emotionally difficult to accept it after the way the game went,” a relieved Arteta said. ““But I think the margin should have been much bigger.
It should have been three or four and then you don’t have to worry about what happens in the last minute.” Of the two sides it was Arsenal who fared the better following Palace’s request to reschedule the game due to their European commitments, with Arteta able to make eight changes to the team that kept their spirits up in the win at Everton on Saturday night. But like last year at this stage against Palace, it required the arrival of big guns Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka after half-time to finally find the breakthrough before Gueyehi scored a late equaliser. “I’m happy with the second-half performance today, especially after the first-half performance, which was really bad,” Glassner said. “It is important for us
Head-to-Head Records: Wins, Draws, and Losses
| Competition | Arsenal Wins | Draws | Crystal Palace Wins |
| Premier League | 15 | 8 | 5 |
| Carabao Cup | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| All Competitions (Last 7) | 5 | 1 | 1 |
The Palace manager admitted in the buildup that he had no choice but to select a side almost identical to the one defeated by Leeds on Saturday night, although teenager Jaydi Canavote started in an unfamiliar role at right wingback and was given a tough time by Gabriel Martinelli. To underline how busy things have been for Palace, this was Guéhi’s 31st start of the campaign for club and country. In contrast, Gabriel Jesus has had to wait 345 days for his first match since suffering an ACL injury against Manchester United in January. The timing of this was particularly cruel as the Brazil striker had been in tremendous form, starting with his hat-trick against Palace in this competition. It was fitting that he scored a century for Arsenal against the same opponents.
Notable Matches: Carabao Cup Drama and Premier League Clashes
The jury is still out on Arsenal’s £64million signing of Victor Gyöckeres, so Jesus may have sensed an opportunity to impress and would have capped his performance with a goal had it not been for Benitez. Signed on a free from PSV Eindhoven in the summer, the Argentinian had to play second fiddle to Dean Henderson, but he showed he is more than a capable deputy. He was called into action in the third minute when Martinelli set up Noni Madueke, although the England forward could only manage a weak shot. Tyrick Mitchell fired after a brilliant pass around the corner from Jean-Philippe Mateta, but that was as close as Palace would come in the first half as Arsenal increased the pressure.
Martinelli was off target when he failed to clear a corner, before Madeuque forced Benítez into another save. Not for the last time, Canavot was left for dead by Martinelli when he delivered a cross to the forehead of Jesus but again the Palace goalkeeper was up to the task. Only a last-minute clearance from Richards denied Jesus another goal as Arsenal continued to knock on the door with an onslaught of long throws and set pieces.
Palace conceded four goals against Leeds but thanks to some heroic saving and Arsenal’s wastefulness they somehow managed to hold on at half-time. It was no surprise to see Canavot gravitate towards the far more experienced Nathaniel Cline. Palace immediately looked more competitive and started the second half with renewed confidence. There was no delay when Richards was sent off after trying to challenge Jesus for a header inches wide, which will be of major concern to Palace given their busy schedule. He watched the penalty shootout on crutches but the American’s departure was a harbinger of a dramatic finale.
Arsenal required William Saliba to slide the ball inside and deflect the ball off Mateta’s toe, before the resulting corner was blocked on the line. At the other end, Benitez once again made a save from Jesus and after more pinball in the box the ball eventually deflected off the toe of Lacroix past the frustrated goalkeeper. Palace looked completely demoralized but somehow found a way back when Guéhi tapped in after Jefferson Lerma won a header from Adam Wharton’s free-kick. Declan Rice could have won it late on too, but Benitez once again denied him, with even more drama reserved for an epic shootout.