‘He’s unbelievable’ – Arteta backs Jesus following striker’s return from injury
Video credit: SNTV
Goakeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was the star of the night as he saved Maxence Lacroix’s penalty to send The Gunners through to a meeting in the last four with Chelsea.
The keeper has only featured in the cup competition for Arsenal this season, but manager Mikel Arteta was effusive in his praise of the Spaniard in his post-match interview.
“So happy for him. Many penalties and the decisive one he saves it. It shows everyone in this team has their time and he saved us.”
It’s a very strong semi-final line-up in this season’s competition – Arsenal against Chelsea, along with Newcastle United taking on Manchester City.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/20/image-70017b90-13ae-4c23-ae93-f2f65cef52d0-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘For me, a reckless challenge’ – Slot reacts to Van de Ven tackle on Isak
Video credit: SNTV
The Gunners have not won a trophy since beating Chelsea in the 2020 FA Cup final, but with a win over Palace they remain on course to challenge for multiple honors this season.
Whilst City and Aston Villa are hot on their tails, Arsenal still lead Premier League and sit top of the league standings in the UEFA Champions League.
“It’s the second season in a row we are in the semi-final of this competition, so, yeah, a game every three days,” Arteta said.
Handling his list of absentee players, which currently includes centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera, will be key for Arteta.
“I see it as a privilege at the end, because of the attitude of the players. I mean, they make your job a joy. We had situations where we didn’t have a choice, and up front for many months we had a situation, and now we have a situation in the back line.
“But it doesn’t matter. We have situations like Christian, like Kepa, like any player that is there constantly. Whatever the role that they have on the day of training, they fulfil it.
“And then when they play, that’s what they do. And every player has to have that mindset, because you’re going to have a big role to play. You want to achieve what we want to achieve, and it’s going to be the only way.
“I’m very happy. We’re in the semi-final, it’s where we wanted to be. I’m really happy, and I’m really happy considering the amount of changes that we’ve done, 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.”
The side suffered yet another potential knock against Palace when Gabriel Martinelli was forced off in the second half, and prior to the game, Piero Hincapie was forced to drop out due to a shoulder injury he sustained against Everton
“No, Martinelli is more a knock, and he wasn’t comfortable to carry on after the second half,” Arteta explained. “With Piero, yeah, something different because he picked up a injury against Everton.
Whilst injuries and knocks mount up, Arteta has been lucky to reintegrate other players back in the squad, with William Saliba making another start after his return from injury, and Gabriel Jesus starting for the first time in 345 days. It was also the Brazilian’s 100th appearance for the club.
“He was so happy, and it was his 100th appearance today, I believe. That explains the journey that he has, a lot of bumps in that road,” Arteta added.
“But I pray with an incredible resilience, fight and spirit that 11 months after he’s able to perform in the manner that he did. So, great to have him back.”
