Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
mikel arteta He said it was “emotionally difficult” to concede Crystal Palace’s stoppage-time equaliser, before his team won 8–7 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. Carabao Cup Last stop.
The game at the Emirates could have been over at half-time as the hosts missed several chances to keep the score goalless at the break with Palace’s number two goalkeeper Walter Benitez in great form.
The Gunners’ breakthrough came 10 minutes after the end of the match. Ricardo Calafiori headed down Bukayo Saka’s corner, William Saliba went for it and amid the confusion Palace headed it into his own net to beat defender Maxence Lacroix.
Palace struck back in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Jefferson Lerma rose to head the ball down for a corner mark guhy reach out first to squeeze it between the legs of Kepa ArrizabalagaThis was Palace’s first shot on target,
After 15 perfect penalties, Lacroix was again the unlucky party, Kepa diving to his right to score armory through, but Arteta was unhappy that his side did not finish the tie first.
“Considering the number of changes we made, the energy and quality we showed against a well-organized team that missed few chances, we generated a lot,” he said.
“The margins should have been huge. They weren’t, and when that happens teams have the quality to hurt you on set-pieces. It was emotionally hard to accept, but we stayed calm, showed great composure and quality in the shoot-out.
“I’m very happy to be saved by Kepa for the last time.”
Benitez defended to stop Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus and Eberechi Eze in the first half and ultimately made his best saves to keep out substitute Declan Rice with the final kick of the match.
“The margin should have been bigger, it should have been three or four and then you don’t worry about what happened in the last minute,” Arteta said.
“When you want to win trophies the margins are really small and to achieve that we have to pay attention to every detail.”
It was a fourth consecutive win for Arenal – who will face Chelsea in the semi-finals in January – and a second in three days after Saturday’s win at Everton helped them extend their lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.
“You have to win in different circumstances and contexts,” Arteta said. “We had two very difficult games which we were able to win.
“It’s a credit to the boys that they’re performing at the same level every three days.”
Palace boss Oliver Glasner said he was unsure when defender Chris Richards would be available again after he was taken off on a stretcher after suffering a serious leg injury.
“His leg was injured and had to be stitched up,” Glassner said. “I don’t know how many stitches, but a few stitches.
“The doctor told me it doesn’t look so bad. I’m always hopeful.”
“I don’t know if he will be fine for the Tottenham game (on December 28), but I still hope he will be back against Fulham (on January 1).”