Arsenal – Crystal Palace: Gunners Edge Past Eagles in Penalty Thriller After Late Drama (1-1, 8-7 on pens)

Mikel Arteta and Oliver Glasner engaged in a high-stakes tactical chess match at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal’s territorial dominance was met by Crystal Palace’s legendary defensive resilience. A game defined by Arsenal's structural expansion versus Palace's compact discipline resulted in a stalemate that could only be settled by the narrowest of margins from the penalty spot.

Tactical analysis and match report by Aderemi Qoyum.

Arsenal and Crystal Palace faced off in a tense EFL Cup quarter-final with the North London air thick with expectation. Despite making eight changes to his starting XI, Arteta fielded a side brimming with technical quality, while Palace opted for continuity and structural grit. The match quickly settled into a pattern of sustained Arsenal pressure against a deep, organized Palace block, turning the contest into a test of patience versus counter-attacking precision.

Arsenal deployed a fluid system that shifted significantly in possession. Kepa Arrizabalaga started in goal behind a defensive unit of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Riccardo Calafiori, and Myles Lewis-Skelly. The midfield featured Mikel Merino and Christian Nørgaard providing a platform for Eberechi Eze, while Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke flanked Gabriel Jesus.

Crystal Palace utilized a rigid 5-4-1 defensive block under Oliver Glasner. Walter Benítez stood behind a central defensive trio of Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guéhi, and Chris Richards. Jaydee Canvot and Tyrick Mitchell occupied the wing-back roles, while Jefferson Lerma and Adam Wharton anchored the midfield. Jean-Philippe Mateta led the line as the lone outlet just ahead of Eddie Nketiah and Yeremi Pino.

Breaking the block with the 3-1-6