CARABAO CUP 

ARSENAL 1 (Lacroix own goal, 81)

PALACE 1 (Guehi 95) 

Arsenal win 8-7 on penalties 

MAXENCE Lacroix can add his name to list of illustrious French players to score for Arsenal after bumbling into his own net and then missing the decisive spot kick in a penalty shoot out.

The cruel own goal was the third to be scored for Arsenal in succession at the Emirates after the OG double by Wolves last week.

OG is the top scorer at the Emirates so far in December.

The Palace keeper Benitez was the outstanding player of the match pulling off a string of saves, including a close range shot from Rice ten minutes into injury time.

But he could not continue his heroics in the shoot-out that saw 15 penalties scored before Kepa finally went the right way.

Marcus Guehi equalised in the 95th minute ensuring this relatively pointless spectacle two days before Christmas dragged on for another 20 minutes.

The Gunners face Chelsea in the two leg semis before a possible trip to Wembley – all fixtures some could argue the club could do without.

Because Arsenal are looking a little leggy of late, possibly in need of recuperation.

Some of the passing tonight was atrocious by the Gunners high standards and it has been this way for a while now.

Passes are going astray and they are not looking like the well-oiled machine and impenetrable force that they did for the first few months of the season.

But after the match, manager Mikel Arteta said: “We are where we want to be, considering the number of changes we generated a lot. The margin should have been a lot bigger.

“We had a set-piece and we conceded a goal. I think we stayed calm and composure in the shootout. Very happy for Kepa.”

Arsenal were dominant in the first half with Gabi Martinelli looking  dangerous on the wing.

He set up three great chances and could have scored himself had it not been for the fantastic saves by Sanchez.

Noni Madueke shot straight down the middle after being sent clear through on goal and later could not reach a teasing cross Martinelli.

Jurien Timber – popping up randomly in attack as the Arsenal defenders do – also headed over and it seemed like a matter of time before the breakthrough.

Crystal Palace rarely threatened but Mitchell had found himself in acres of space after Timber ran out of position into the middle of the pitch.

But the visitors came out in the second half a different side and created the better chances.

Much has been written about Arsenal’s injury list but is the club being over cautious?

Martinelli went down just before half time from a basic knock that was the kind you would expect during the rough and tumble of any football match.

He was subbed off for Leandro Trossard early in the second half.

Riccardo Calafiori was playing centre back, with Lewis-Skelly on the left.

Calafiori has really improved this season but Skelly seems prone to mistakes, possibly from the pressure that builds with not getting much game time.

Similarly, new signing Norgaard also looks a little erratic.

Another great mystery is what will happen to Ethan Nwaneri – an unused sub in the Carabao Cup.

Palace’s Wharton drilled wide on a great angle in the best chance of the early exchanges in the second half.

A long throw-in almost bounced up over Kepa, calamity narrowly avoided, before a bullet header from Jesus flashed just wide at the other end.

The own goal came in the melee caused by – yep you guessed it – a corner arced in over the six yard box and towards the far top corner.

It was tough on Lacroix, but c’est la vie.

On the fixture congestion, Arteta said: “I see it as a privilege at the end.”

He added: “Trust the players, they showed great courage and composure.”

Next up Brighton at home in the league.

Arsenal: Kepa, Lewis-Skelly, Calafiori, Saliba, Timber, Eze (Ødegaard 67), Nørgaard, Merino, Martinelli (Trossard 59), Jesus Rice (86), Madueke (Saka 67) 

Subs not used: Gyokeres, Nwaneri, Raya, Salmon, Zubimendi,

Palace: Benítez, Guéhi, Lacroix, Richards (Hughes 68), Mitchell (Sosa 101), Lerma, Wharton, Canvot (Clyne 46), Pino (Uche 85), Nketiah (Devenny 46), Mateta
Subs not used: Drakes-Thomas, Henderson, Esse, Rodney,