Category: Match Reports | Date: December 24, 2025
Match: arsenal vs crystal palace (EFL Cup Quarter-final)
In a night of dramatic twists, late goals, and a nerve-shredding penalty shootout, Arsenal secured their place in the EFL Cup Semi-Finals after edging past Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. Despite dominating the statistics for 90 minutes, Mikel Arteta’s side needed a flawless performance from the penalty spot to overcome a resilient Palace defense.
Here is the full match analysis, key moments, and statistical breakdown of this thrilling London derby.
Match Summary: Late Drama at the Emirates
For 80 minutes, the game was a tactical deadlock. Arsenal controlled the tempo, camping in the Palace half, but struggled to break down Oliver Glasner’s disciplined low block.
The breakthrough finally came in the 80th minute via a stroke of misfortune for the visitors. Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix turned the ball into his own net, gifting Arsenal a 1-0 lead that looked destined to be the winner.
However, Crystal Palace refused to surrender. In the dying moments of stoppage time (90+5′), Palace captain Marc Guéhi rose to the occasion, slamming home a dramatic equalizer to silence the home crowd and send the tie directly to penalties.
The Penalty Shootout: Arsenal Perfect from the Spot
With the score level at 1-1 after full-time, the quarter-final was decided from 12 yards. It was a showcase of elite finishing, but one early error proved costly for the Eagles.
The Shootout Breakdown (Arsenal wins 8-7):
- Arsenal: 8 Scored / 8 Taken
- Crystal Palace: 7 Scored / 8 Taken
Arsenal’s composure was absolute. William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, and Mikel Merino all converted their spot-kicks comfortably. Impact substitutes Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and captain Martin Ødegaard followed suit, ensuring the Gunners had a 100% conversion rate.
For Palace, the shootout began with disaster as Maxence Lacroix—already unlucky with the own goal—missed his opening penalty. Despite successful conversions from the rest of the team, including Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta, they could not recover from the early deficit.
Statistical Analysis: Arsenal’s Dominance vs. Palace’s Resilience
A look at the match stats reveals just how one-sided the general play was, despite the close scoreline.
| Statistic | Arsenal | Crystal Palace | Analysis |
| Possession | 69% | 31% | Arsenal controlled the midfield, forcing Palace to chase shadows for much of the game. |
| Shots | 17 | 6 | The Gunners created far more volume, testing the keeper frequently. |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 2 | Palace was clinical with the few chances they had, scoring on 50% of their shots on target. |
| Corners | 8 | 2 | The high corner count reflects Arsenal’s sustained pressure in the final third. |
| Fouls | 9 | 11 | A physical battle saw Palace commit tactical fouls to break up play. |
Lineups and Tactical Notes arsenal vs crystal palace
Arsenal’s Approach:
Mikel Arteta fielded a technically gifted side, with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli leading the press. The midfield engine, bolstered by Mikel Merino, dictated play, while the defense, marshaled by Saliba, held a high line to keep the pressure on.
Crystal Palace’s Approach:
Oliver Glasner set up to absorb pressure and counter. Former Gunner Eddie Nketiah led the line but was often isolated. The introduction of Will Hughes and Justin Devenny late in the game added fresh legs, contributing to their late push for an equalizer.
Conclusion: Gunners March On
While it wasn’t the comfortable victory the possession stats suggested, Arsenal showed the character required of champions. Winning ugly—and holding their nerve in a penalty shootout—is a vital trait for silverware contenders. Crystal Palace will leave with heads held high after a valiant defensive effort, but ultimately, the night belonged to North London.
Arsenal now advances to the Semi-Finals, keeping their hopes of EFL Cup glory alive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who scored the goals in the Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace match?
A: Arsenal took the lead via a Maxence Lacroix own goal (80′), and Marc Guéhi equalized for Palace in stoppage time (90+5′).
Q2: What was the final score of the penalty shootout?
A: Arsenal won the shootout 8-7.
Q3: Who missed the penalty for Crystal Palace?
A: Maxence Lacroix missed his penalty, which proved to be the decisive moment.
Q4: Who was the Man of the Match?
A: While the official award varies, William Saliba was instrumental in defense and scored a crucial penalty, while Marc Guéhi was standout for Palace with his late goal.
