Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Kepa Arrizabalaga the penalty hero and Gabriel Jesus sharp | OneFootball

Gunners taken all the way to penalties as summer signing steps up to seal Carabao Cup quarter-final win

The Arsenal goalkeeper kept out Maxence Lacroix’s penalty in sudden death after Marc Guehi’s stoppage-time equaliser had forced spot-kicks at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal found the opening goal with ten minutes to play as Bukayo Saka’s corner was turned in by Lacroix, but Guehi scored at the death to take the game to penalties.

After a perfect set of Arsenal penalties, Kepa dived low to his right to keep out Lacroix and set up a semi-final showdown with Chelsea.

Sam Tabuteau rated the Arsenal players at the Emirates Stadium...

Kepa Arrizabalaga 8

The hero for Arsenal in the penalty shoot-out, saving low to his right to deny Lacroix.

Jurrien Timber 6

Headed over after a lovely piece of skill from Martinelli. He was not able to influence the game as much as he would have liked in attack. Confident penalty with the pressure on.

William Saliba 7

More important minutes for the Frenchman, following his return from injury. Made a superb last-ditch tackle to deny Mateta in the second half. Scored from the spot.

Riccardo Calafiori 4

Was not asked much by Palace’s attack, but in the one moment he was needed, he lost the header for Guehi’s equaliser. Stepped up to score from the spot.

Myles Lewis-Skelly 6

Some good recovery tackles and dropped into midfield well to try and overwhelm Palace. Added some directness to Arsenal’s play in the centre of the park.

Christian Norgaard 4

Sloppy in possession. Arsenal dominated, but struggled to sustain pressure in the second half, with Norgaard one-dimensional when the ball was at his feet.

Mikel Merino 5

Opened up the chance for Jesus, which eventually led to Arsenal’s opener, but struggled to give the Gunners a foothold in possession. Scored from the spot with a lovely rolled finish into the bottom corner.

Eberechi Eze 4

Picked up some nice positions in between the lines, but did not create much in the final third. Replaced midway through the second half.

Quiet: Eberechi Eze

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Gabriel Martinelli 7

A threat cutting in or driving for the byline. His curling delivery deserved to be finished by Jesus. Sent Canvot to the floor with a lovely change of pace at the end of the first half. Replaced just before the hour mark.

Noni Madueke 6

Lively in the first half but drifted after the break. Should have scored in the opening stages of the game, firing tamely at Benitez when sent through on goal.

Gabriel Jesus 7

Looked sharp on his return to action and drew a few good saves from Benitez. Dropped off to link play, while also offering an option in behind. Not at full sharpness, but a promising performance, and valuable minutes.

Substitutes

Leandro Trossard 6

Was kept quiet by Palace’s defence, but scored from the spot as Arsenal’s experienced players made the difference.

Martin Odegaard 6

Replaced Eze, but was similarly ineffectual. Tidy in possession without being able to create anything meaningful. Scored from the spot.

Bukayo Saka 7

It was his corner kick that was eventually flicked in unwittingly by Lacroix. Confident penalty to keep the pressure on Palace.

Declan Rice 6

Saw his effort at the death saved by Benitez. Scored from the spot.