Kepa sinks Palace in penalty drama

Gunners to take on Chelsea in semi-final

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Arsenal defender Noni Madueke jumps into the arms of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after their League Cup quarter-final victory over Crystal Palace.

(AFP)

Kepa Arrizabalaga was Arsenal’s League Cup quarterfinal hero with the decisive penalty shootout save that completed a miserable evening for Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix on Tuesday.

Lacroix’s own goal put Arsenal ahead with 10 minutes left at the Emirates Stadium before Marc Guehi snatched Palace's stoppage-time equaliser in the 1-1 draw.

That set the stage for a shootout in which both teams scored their first seven penalties.

William Saliba converted Arsenal's eighth kick and Kepa dived to his right to save Lacroix’s effort and secure an 8-7 victory.

It was a cathartic moment for the Spanish goalkeeper, who infamously refused to be substituted before Chelsea’s League Cup final penalty shootout defeat against Manchester City in 2019.

Kepa also missed a spot-kick in the Blues’ 2022 League Cup final shootout loss to Liverpool.