Arsenal qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a penalty shootout victory over Crystal Palace. Mikel Arteta made eight changes to the team that beat Everton 1-0 and his new side dominated the first half, missing only a crucial goal to break the deadlock.
For 80 minutes, the gamble to poach too many big names from the team seemed to have backfired, when Maxence Lacroix accidentally put the ball into his own net from a corner kick. It was a familiar route to goal for Arsenal. However, Emirates were left reeling when Marc Guehi was quickest to react and equalize in the fifth minute of stoppage time. He tied the score and took it to penalties, but a sudden-death spot-kick put Palace on top. Here, Express Sport rates the Gunners team…
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace player ratings (4-3-3)
goalkeeper
Kepa – 6
There was little to do, but he couldn’t beat the ball past Guehi towards Palace’s goal. He saved Lacroix’s penalty, sparking wild celebrations.
defense
Julian Timber – 6
The defender, who is always looking forward, missed three shots on goal in the first half, but looked tired as he had hardly rested this season.
William Saliba – 8
He needs to prove he can contribute to Arsenal’s attack by displaying impressive dribbling skills while advancing the ball. He then made a brilliant intervention in the 78th minute to prevent Jean-Philippe Mateta from scoring.
Riccardo Calafioli – 7
With Piero Hincapie worried about his absence, he played in the centre-back position and did some light work marking Mateta, but lost a header in the closing stages, leading to Guehi’s equalizing goal.
Miles Lewis-Skelly – 6
He was given a few chances as a left back and showed a calm performance. But it would be surprising if this performance led to first-choice Riccardo Calafioli being ousted again. They were thwarted by a great save from Walter Benitez in the closing stages.
midfield
Christian Norgaard – 6
It was a quiet game, but he doesn’t offer as much on the ball as Martin Zvimendi. His presence may be better suited to games where the Gunners don’t dominate possession.
Eberechi Eze – 6
He struggled to exclude the Palace defenders who knew him well. Arteta was sent off after just over an hour as he did not want to play for both England and Martin Odegaard.
Mikel Merino – 7
Wearing the captain’s armband, he sent a very fluid through ball to Eberechi Eze, dividing the entire defense. Eze set up Gabriel Jesus, but the Brazilian was unable to finish. He might be better suited to play up front as it will be a quiet game otherwise.
attack
Noni Madueke – 6
He should have done better with a shot on goal in the opening minutes, but an hour later he was on the receiving end of a fierce message from Arteta from the touchline. Shortly after, Noni Maduke was replaced by Bukayo Saka.
Gabriel Jesus – 7
It was his first start for Arsenal since January 12th and his 100th appearance for the club, making an almost perfect comeback, but his glimmering header was well saved by Benitez. However, as the game progressed his influence waned.
Gabriel Martinelli – 9
A constant threat to stand-in wing-back Jaydee Canvotto, he became Arsenal’s biggest attacking threat as the Brazilian competed with Leandro Trossard for a place in the starting lineup.
He created one chance after another and left Kanvoto dead on numerous occasions in what could have been one of the winger’s best performances for Arsenal, after which the Palace defender was sent off at half-time to avoid further damage.
It was a night that promised to end in frustration and anger for Gabriel Martinelli, but unfortunately he was substituted in the 59th minute after coming under heavy attack just before half-time.
substitute
Leandro Trossard (59′) – 7
Trossard looked as lively as ever, giving Martinelli a chance to regain his position in the moment he was breathing down his neck before ending the night with an injury. He combined well with Calafioli and Mikel Merino and created some great chances in the second half.
Bukayo Saka (67′) – 7
His dangerous corner kick was deflected by Lacroix into the Palace goal. Saka’s performance was once again golden for Arsenal. A penalty cry was denied in the 100th minute.
Martin Odegaard (67′) – 6
He was one step ahead of his predecessor, Eze, and was unable to dislodge the defenses of the palace.
Declan Rice (85′) – N/A
He contributed to the victory and scored a penalty kick in the penalty shootout.
