ARSENAL EDGE PAST PALACE ON PENALTIES TO REACH LAST FOUR
Arsenal will face Chelsea in a heavyweight two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final next month after edging past a dogged Crystal Palace 8-7 on penalties at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Mikel Arteta’s side could not find a way past inspired Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez until Maxence Lacroix prodded into his own net on 80 minutes with the FA Cup holders failing to cope with a corner-kick.
But Oliver Glasner’s men unearthed an equaliser in five minutes of nine added to the contest when Marc Guehi swept home from close range after Jefferson Lerma had headed into the traffic from Adam Wharton’s set-piece delivery.
The first 15 penalties were perfect until Lacroix saw his effort halted by Kepa Arrizabalaga as the Arsenal goalkeeper dived low to his right to the delight of the home fans.
Chelsea host Arsenal in the first leg on Wednesday, January 14 with holders Newcastle visiting Manchester City in the other semi-final first leg a night earlier.
The second legs will see Chelsea visit the Emirates on Tuesday, February 3 with City facing Newcastle on February 4.
