Key Points
- Kepa Arrizabalaga, Arsenal’s goalkeeper who spent seven years at Chelsea, declared readiness to eliminate his former club in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
- Arsenal advanced to the semi-finals after a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, winning 8-7 on penalties at the Emirates Stadium on December 23, 2025, with Kepa saving Maxence Lacroix’s decisive spot-kick.
- Arsenal’s goal came via an own goal by Maxence Lacroix from Bukayo Saka’s corner in the 80th minute; Crystal Palace equalised in the 95th minute through Marc Guehi diverting Jefferson Lerma’s header.
- Crystal Palace’s backup goalkeeper Walter Benitez made multiple first-half saves against Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, and others, keeping the score level at half-time despite Arsenal’s 80% possession.
- Semi-final draw pits Arsenal against Chelsea over two legs: first leg at Stamford Bridge on January 14, 2026, at 8pm (live on Sky Sports Football); second leg at Emirates Stadium on February 3, 2026, at 8pm (live on Sky Sports Football and ITV).
- Mikel Arteta praised Arsenal’s composure in penalties and expressed delight for Kepa, while noting disappointment at late concessions from set-pieces.
- Kepa highlighted Arsenal’s need to address late goals conceded, praised teammates’ penalty execution, and affirmed preparation for tough semi-final challenges.
- The match featured a six-minute delay due to Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards’ right ankle injury, requiring stretcher removal.
- Arsenal made eight changes including starts for Gabriel Jesus (first in 345 days), Noni Madueke, and Kepa; substitutions included Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice.
- Crystal Palace improved post-half-time; Walter Benitez saved from Declan Rice in the 12th minute of stoppage time to force penalties.
- Other semi-final: Newcastle United vs Manchester City; Wembley final scheduled for March 22, 2026.
- Chelsea advanced past League One Cardiff City 3-1 with goals from Alejandro Garnacho (brace) and Pedro Neto.
- The Arsenal-Crystal Palace quarter-final was rescheduled from earlier due to Palace’s UEFA Conference League commitments, avoiding three games in five days.
Who Was Kepa Arrizabalaga Before Joining Arsenal?
Kepa Arrizabalaga, aged 31, spent seven years at Chelsea before transferring to north London in the summer of 2025. As reported in Yahoo Sports coverage, Kepa Arrizabalaga stated,
“At this moment, if we desire a trophy, which we do, we must compete against strong teams. Both semi-final matches will be significant challenges, but we will prepare thoroughly and be ready to give it our all”.
His experience positions him to potentially deny Chelsea a place in the season’s first major final.
What Happened in Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Match?
Arsenal dominated the first half with 80 per cent possession but failed to score, thwarted by Crystal Palace’s second-choice goalkeeper Walter Benitez. As detailed by Miguel Delaney of The Independent, Noni Madueke might have had four goals but for Benitez’s saves: a tame left-footed shot in the third minute straight at Benitez; a prod midway through diverted away; a double save from Gabriel Jesus’ header (Jesus’s first start in 345 days) and Madueke’s follow-up; and a reaction save five minutes before half-time after Madueke’s strike through bodies.
The second half saw Crystal Palace improve, with Adam Wharton’s long-range effort fizzing wide on the hour. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta introduced Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, replacing Madueke and ineffective former Palace player Eberechi Eze. Odegaard’s immediate cross found Jesus, whose header fell just wide. A six-minute delay ensued as Palace defender Chris Richards was stretchered off with a right ankle injury; Jesus blazed over on the restart.
William Saliba’s last-gasp sliding tackle denied Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Kepa cleared a corner off the line with his right knee. Arsenal countered fluidly, but Emiliano Martinez tipped Jesus’ shot over; Riccardo Calafiori’s header from Saka’s corner was blocked, as was Jurrien Timber’s effort, before Lacroix’s toe-poke own goal from Saka’s corner in the 80th minute gave Arsenal the lead.
Drama peaked in the fifth of nine added minutes: Jefferson Lerma nodded down Adam Wharton’s set-piece corner, and Marc Guehi swept it through Kepa’s legs for Palace’s first shot on target. In the 12th minute of stoppage time, Benitez denied substitute Declan Rice, forcing penalties. After 15 perfect spot-kicks, Saliba scored Arsenal’s eighth, and Kepa dived right to save Lacroix’s, securing an 8-7 win.
What Did Key Figures Say After the Match?
As reported by journalists in the Yahoo Sports article, Kepa Arrizabalaga noted on Arsenal’s late concessions,
“We’ve allowed goals in the dying moments of a couple of games, so that’s an area we need to address. However, we are moving on to the next round, and we’re pleased with that. We exerted a tremendous effort and should have netted a few in the first half. We played exceptionally well, while the second half was more evenly matched”.
He praised teammates:
“They kept us in the match and provided me with the chance to make a save. Emotionally, it’s crucial to stay focused and strong, especially after conceding late and then heading into penalties. You need to be completely concentrated on the penalty takers to make a save. It required a shift in mindset, and it proved effective”.
Crystal Palace’s Walter Benitez commented, as cited in Yahoo Sports,
“We’re not entirely satisfied with this result, but we feel good about the second half. We performed well, and I’m pleased with that, as the team demonstrated their capabilities in every match. Today, we showcased that in the second half, which is the most crucial takeaway from this game. Naturally, after penalties, it’s a 50-50 situation, and we feel disappointed with this outcome, but we will keep pushing forward”.
Mikel Arteta, in post-match remarks covered by Irish Examiner’s Sport Desk, said it was “emotionally tough” to accept Palace’s stoppage-time equaliser:
“Considering the number of changes we made, the energy and the quality we showed against a well organised team that concedes few chances, we generated a lot. The margin should have been much bigger. They weren’t, and when that happens teams have the quality to hurt you on a set-piece”.
He added,
“I’m very happy for Kepa making the last save,”
praising composure:
“We stayed calm, showed great composure and quality in the shoot-out”.
Arteta reflected,
“The margins should have been bigger, it should have been three or four and then you’re not worried about what happened in the last minute”.
Arseblog News rounded up quotes including from Arteta, Palace manager Oliver Glasner, Benitez, Saliba, Kepa, and Mikel Merino, affirming Arsenal’s semi-final path.
When and Where Is the Arsenal vs Chelsea Semi-Final?
The semi-finals span two legs. As confirmed on Chelsea FC’s official site, the first leg is at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 8pm, live on Sky Sports Football—regardless of Arsenal or Palace advancing. The second leg, if Arsenal progress, is at the Emirates on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 8pm, broadcast on Sky Sports Football and ITV.
Chelsea secured their spot with a 3-1 win over League One Cardiff City, featuring a brace from Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto’s finish. The draw, reported by Evening Standard’s Simon Collings, paired Chelsea vs Arsenal or Palace, with Newcastle vs Manchester City in the other tie; Wembley final on March 22, 2026.
The quarter-final was postponed from mid-December due to Palace’s UEFA Conference League schedule, per Flashscore UK.
Why Does This Reunion Matter for Arsenal and Chelsea?
Arsenal chase silverware after their 2020 FA Cup, balancing multiple fronts. Kepa’s heroics underscore squad depth under Arteta, who made eight changes. India Today’s Sports Desk hailed Kepa as “Arsenal’s penalty hero,” noting pressure delivery amid momentum.
For Chelsea, facing a former player adds intrigue; ESPN noted the London derby potential. Palace’s late resilience, via Benitez and Guehi, showed fight despite exit.
