Arsenal needed nerves of steel and a slice of fortune to book their place in the next round of the EFL Cup, overcoming Crystal Palace after an extraordinary penalty shootout that stretched to 18 spot-kicks at the Emirates Stadium.

The tie ended 1–1 after normal time, with all the key moments arriving after the break. A cagey first half offered little to ignite the crowd, but the tempo lifted dramatically in the second period as both sides finally found a way through.

Goals at either end set up a tense finale, yet neither Mikel Arteta’s hosts nor their London rivals could find a decisive winner, forcing the contest straight to penalties. What followed was a test of composure rarely seen, as player after player stepped up and converted under intense pressure.

The shootout descended into pure drama deep into sudden death. Only in the ninth round did the deadlock finally break, when a miss from a Crystal Palace player handed Arsenal a narrow 8–7 victory.

2025-26, EFL Cup

Arsenal - Crystal Palace 1:1 (0:0), shoot-out 8:7
Goals: Lacroix M., 80 (own goal) (1:0); Guehi, 90 (1:1)

Arsenal: Arrizabalaga; Saliba; Timber J.; Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly; Nørgaard; Eze (Odegaard, 67); Merino; Madueke (Saka B., 67); Gabriel Jesus (Rice, 86); Martinelli (Trossard, 59)
Substitution: Trossard (from 59); Saka B. (from 67); Odegaard (from 67); Rice (from 86)
Bench: Raya; Salmon; Zubimendi; Nwaneri; Gyökeres
Yellow Cards: Arrizabalaga 89

Crystal Palace: Benitez W.; Mitchell T. (Sosa B., 90); Lacroix M.; Guehi; Canvot (Clyne, 46); Richards Chr. (Hughes W., 75); Lerma; Pino Y. (Uche, 86); Wharton A.; Nketiah (Devenny, 46); Mateta
Substitution: Clyne (from 46); Devenny (from 46); Hughes W. (from 75); Uche (from 86); Sosa B. (from 90)
Bench: Henderson D.; Rodney K.; Esse