Overview
- Crystal Palace forced penalties after a 1-1 draw, with Maxence Lacroix scoring an 80th-minute own goal before Marc Guehi equalised in stoppage time following a lengthy delay for Chris Richards’ injury.
- The shootout featured 14 straight conversions before Arrizabalaga saved Lacroix’s effort to decide it 8-7.
- Mikel Arteta made eight changes as Gabriel Jesus started for the first time in 11 months, marking his 100th Arsenal appearance.
- Palace stand-in goalkeeper Walter Benítez delivered multiple key saves as Arsenal again struggled to finish chances despite long spells of control.
- Arsenal will face Chelsea over two legs, with the first match scheduled at Stamford Bridge on January 14 and the return at the Emirates on February 3, adding to an already heavy fixture list that includes fresh knocks such as Gabriel Martinelli’s.