Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace – Kepa the hero as Spaniard among six 8/10s
Arsenal made it through to their third League Cup semi-final in five seasons as they narrowly scraped by Crystal Palace on penalties.
The Gunners were dominant in the first half and could have been comfortably clear by the break had Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus or Jurrien Timber put away any of the big chances they found coming to them.
After plenty more chances in the second period, eventually the ball went in the net courtesy of Maxence Lacroix’s own goal following a Bukayo Saka corner. The performance deserved more goals, and Walter Benitez was definitely the standout performer for the visitors, which said plenty.
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However, a late goal by Marc Guehi took the game into penalties, with Jefferson Lerma rising highest from a free-kick before Marc Guehi tapped in. The Gunners progressed to the semi-finals with Kepa the hero in the shoot-out.
Here is how football.london rated the performances of the Arsenal players:
Kepa Arrizabalaga – Had next to nothing to do in the first half. The same was the case in the second half until the 95th minute when Marc Guehi tapped in from close range. It took eight attempts but Kepa eventually saved Maxence Lacroix's penalty to send the Gunners through. 8
Jurrien Timber –
William Saliba – Excellent challenge on the last man Mateta when he absolutely had to make the challenge. A nice moment as he weaved through several Palace players before spraying a great ball out to Martinelli.
Great tackle on Mateta in the second half to stop the French striker pulling the trigger in the box. 8
Riccardo Calafiori – Chance from a corner to hit the target but skewed a shot with the outside of his boot over the bar. Made some adventurous runs through the middle of the field which broke up play nicely. Began the chaos in the box with his header from Saka’s corner that would eventually be turned into his own net by Lacroix. 8
Myles Lewis-Skelly – Made a good tackle on Mateta in the first half to prevent a clear run at goal. His passing was a little frustrating for Arteta, who made no attempt to hide it on the touchline, but the youngster drove the team forward really well in moments. 7
Christian Norgaard – Impressed in the middle and was designated long throw taker. Was good at reading the game, breaking up play and begged the question why he’s not been trusted more often. Was quite impressed with his work on the night. 8
Mikel Merino – Played a gorgeous ball through the Palace midfield to find Eberechi Eze in the box. Arsenal perhaps missed the legs they usually get from Declan Rice but the Spaniard helped to keep the progressive movement working. 7
Eberechi Eze – Struggled to get into the game in the first half but in the second had a great chance to score when a Madueke cross found him but instead of striking left footed, he tried to take a touch and the chance was gone. 6
Noni Madueke – Big early chance as he won the ball high up before eventually being found again by Martinelli, but the shot on the stretch was tame. With his second chance, at close range to Benitez, he couldn’t find the right touch to beat the Argentine and then found himself in further areas where he could’ve scored. 8
Gabriel Jesus – Unlucky not to score after a great headed effort on target forced Benitez down into a low save. Linked play extremely well and certainly helped the wide players into the game and when Odegaard came on his level definitely went up a step in turn. 8
Gabriel Martinelli – Very good pass through the middle to Madueke, which should have been better finished. The winger enjoyed some excellent battles with Canvot, sitting down on occasion too and providing dangerous deliveries. A clash of knees meant in the second half his level dropped and he was replaced by Trossard. 8
Substitutes:Leandro Trossard – Replaced Gabriel Martinelli in the second half. Created problems down the left with some nice deliveries too. 6
Martin Odegaard – Came on and immediately found a great cross into the box which Jesus headed just wide of the left post. Arsenal are definitely a better team with the skipper on the field at the moment. 7
Bukayo Saka – It was the substitute's corner which eventually led to the own goal from Lacroix, a great curling cross which Calafiori sparked the chaos from with his header. 7
Declan Rice – Replaced Gabriel Jesus late on in the game. Had a very late chance saved by Benitez. 6