Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed both satisfaction and frustration following his team's progression to the Carabao Cup semi-finals. The Gunners secured their spot after a tense penalty shootout victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.
A Nervy Victory at the Emirates
Facing a stubborn Crystal Palace side they had narrowly beaten 1-0 in the Premier League back in October, Arsenal anticipated a tough battle. The match followed a familiar script. After a bright start from the hosts, the game's momentum slowed, allowing Palace to grow into the contest. The deadlock was broken, but Arsenal conceded a late, frustrating equalizer from defender Marc Guehi, sending the quarter-final tie straight to penalties.
Despite the emotional setback of the late goal, Arsenal held their nerve spectacularly from the spot. The team converted all eight of their penalties in the shootout, with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga making the decisive save to send the Gunners through. This marks the second consecutive year Arsenal have reached the semi-finals, where they will now face London rivals Chelsea in a two-legged tie.
Arteta's Mixed Emotions
While delighted with the result, Arteta was clear that the performance should have yielded a more comfortable victory. "I’m very happy. We’re in the semifinal, which is where we wanted to be," the manager stated. He praised the cohesion and energy of a much-changed lineup against a well-organized opponent.
However, his main critique was on his team's finishing. "We generated a lot, and the margin should have been much bigger after 94 minutes," Arteta emphasized. "It should have been three or four, and then you’re not worried about what happens in the last minutes." He acknowledged the psychological blow of conceding the late equalizer from a set-piece, a scenario he had warned his players about given Palace's threat.
Lessons for Trophy Pursuit
Arteta used the narrow escape as a teaching moment for his squad. He stressed the fine margins in cup competitions and the need for relentless focus. "I wanted a bigger margin: I know there is a team that doesn’t need much. In one or two passes, they can attack your box and hurt you," he explained.
Looking ahead, the Spanish coach pointed to the positives, including the defensive solidity that limited Palace to very few chances. He also reserved special praise for the composure shown during the penalty shootout and for Kepa's match-winning contribution. Arteta's final message was one of trust and continuous improvement: "What we have to do is continue to generate the chances that we do and concede nothing... trust the players, keep training and try to keep improving."
With a semi-final clash against Chelsea on the horizon, Arteta will be demanding his players learn from this experience and be more clinical as they continue their quest for silverware.
