Arsenal have advanced to the League Cup semi-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. The match concluded with an 8-7 score in the shootout, following a 1-1 draw in normal time.

The Gunners will now face Chelsea in the semi-finals. Manchester City is set to play against defending champion Newcastle in the other semi-final match.

Arsenal's journey to the semi-final was anything but straightforward. An own goal by Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix in the 80th minute had initially given Arsenal the lead. However, Marc Guehi leveled the score for Palace with a late goal in stoppage time, forcing the game into penalties.

During the penalty shootout, Arsenal's goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga emerged as the hero, saving the decisive spot-kick from Lacroix. This save secured Arsenal's place in the semi-finals. It capped off a mixed night for Lacroix, who was responsible for the own goal earlier in the match. All eight of Arsenal's penalty takers successfully converted their spot kicks.

The match saw the return of Gabriel Jesus to the Arsenal starting lineup. Jesus had been sidelined since January after suffering an ACL injury. In the match, Jesus had a shot saved after a rapid attack.

The quarter-final was a tightly contested affair. In the 80th minute, Bukayo Saka's corner delivery caused confusion in the Palace box, eventually leading to Lacroix inadvertently putting the ball into his own net. However, Crystal Palace fought back, and Guehi's late equalizer sent the game straight to penalties, as no extra time was played.

Arsenal will play Chelsea over two legs in the semi-final. The first leg is scheduled to be at Stamford Bridge in the week commencing January 12, 2026, with the return leg at the Emirates Stadium on February 3 or 4. Before the semi-final tie, Arsenal will face Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa in the Premier League.