Lacroix hands out gifts to Arsenal, as Gunners reach EFL Cup semi-finals after a thriller clash

Excluding their own players, Arsenal fans will - at least for some time - worship Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix, who scored an own goal and wasted a decisive penalty in the shoot-out, becoming a tragic figure in the Eagles' defeat at Emirates in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

Arsenal won the game, but Crystal Palace won a player for the future. If, so far, the custodian Walter Benitez was seen as only Dean Henderson's understudy, from now on, he'll have more respect.

The Argentinian kept the Eagles' head above water for 80 minutes, ruthlessly denying Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus in the first place, and doing wonders between the posts.

Unfortunately for him, ultimately his own teammate scored against him, as Maxence Lacroix reacted clumsily in a melee after an 81st-minute corner kick, and netted a goal that paved the way to the EFL Cup semi-finals for the Gunners.

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However, that wasn't the end of the drama at the Emirates, as the Eagles managed to bounce back in the nick of time, thanks to their captain, Marc Guehi, who annulled his defensive partner's mistake in the 95th minute, sending the game to the penalty shoot-out!

The penalty drama went on for eight nail-biting series and eventually ended with the unlucky Lacroix's miss - or Kepa Arrizabalaga's save, if you want - which launched the Gunners to the next round.

In the semis, Arsenal will face Chelsea in a city derby, while the other semi-final pair includes Manchester City and Newcastle. Those clashes will be played over two legs, with the matches scheduled for mid-January and early February.

Despite the importance of the League Cup quarter-finals, the upcoming Premier League challenges ahead of both Arsenal and Crystal Palace were even more crucial. Hence, both Mikel Arteta and Oliver Glasner shuffled their starting lineups.

However, it didn't impact the Gunners' performance much, as they established a strong dominance in the first half of the duel, missing only one thing - goals.

Gabriel Martinelli did wonders on the left flank, tormenting Palace's youngster Jaydee Canvot, but the Brazilian's teammates failed to capitalize on his numerous fantastic crosses - Noni Madueke in the first place.

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The Eagles' hero, the reserve custodian Walter Benitez, stopped the England international in three dangerous situations, while his stop of Gabriel Jesus' remarkable header was extraordinary.

The Argentinian keeper was the most deserving for the goalless draw the crowd at Emirates saw at the break, though it was clear that if Palace continued desperately defending, it would be a matter of time before Arsenal broke the deadlock.

It took Crystal Palace 59 minutes to threaten notably for the first time, but Adam Wharton's effort from outside the box went narrowly wide of the right post. At the same time, Martinelli, who had picked up an injury, was forced to leave the pitch and was replaced by Leandro Trossard.

Yet, seeing that after 67 minutes his lads were still struggling to open the scoring and break the sturdy Palace, Arteta subbed on the two captains, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, trying to put even bigger pressure on the visitors.

Once the game entered the final quarter of an hour, the Eagles started playing more courageously and threatened after a corner kick, while the Gunners responded over Gabriel Jesus, but Benitez made another superb save. Unfortunately for the Argentinian, a corner kick for the home team followed, and another of Nicolas Jover's specials brought them a goal, as Maxence Lacroix put the ball into his own net after a melee in the box!

That goal came in the ideal moment for the North London side, as the visitors had neither strength nor time to bounce back. Moreover, Arsenal's attacks continued, though their primary goal was keeping the rivals away from their area.

However, the nine-minute added time gave a new ray of hope to the Eagles and they spread their wings after a throw-in, as their captain Marc Guehi levelled in the nick of time, sending the match to the penalty shoot-out!

The thriller lasted for eight series, as the shooters were impeccable until the poor Lacroix missed the decisive spot kick, allowing Kepa Arrizabalaga to stop it, and booked a ticket for the EFL Cup semi-finals to Arsenal.

EFL CUP - QUARTER-FINALS

Tuesday

Cardiff - Chelsea 1-3 (0-0)

/Turnbull 75 - Garnacho 57, 90+3 Neto 82/

Wednesday

Manchester City - Brentford 2-0 (1-0)

/Cherki 32, Savinho 67/

Newcastle - Fulham 2-1 (1-1)

/Wissa 10, Miley 90+2 - Lukic 16/

Tuesday

Arsenal - Crystal Palace 8-7 on pen (1-1)

/Lacroix 81 og - Guehi 90+5/