In England, Arsenal faced Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, played at the Emirates Stadium. The match took place after Palace's Europa Conference League game, where they were held to a 2-2 draw against KPS Kuopio. Arsenal, sitting at the top of the Premier League, entered the match with expectations to maintain their winning momentum despite this cup tie not being their main priority. The Gunners had narrowly won their last few fixtures, while Palace was struggling, having no wins in three consecutive games, which included a heavy defeat to Leeds. The match began with both teams trying to assert control but evolved into a tense encounter. Arsenal's breakthrough came in the 80th minute when defender Maxence Lacroix inadvertently scored an own goal while trying to clear a dangerous situation. With minutes left in the match, Crystal Palace managed to shock their opponents by equalizing in stoppage time. Marc Guehi scored, prompting an emotional response from Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, as this late goal threatened the Gunners' hopes of a straightforward victory. With the match level at 1-1, the game proceeded to penalties. Arsenal showed resilience and composure, ultimately winning 8-7 in the shootout, with Kepa Arrizabalaga making crucial saves. Arteta described the match as emotionally challenging but commended his players for remaining calm under pressure, particularly highlighting the performance of Kepa on penalties. This victory marked Arsenal’s fourth consecutive win and set them up to face Chelsea in the semi-finals scheduled for January. Palace manager Oliver Glasner provided updates post-match regarding injured player Chris Richards, who left the field on a stretcher after suffering a foot injury. Glasner was hopeful but uncertain about Richards' availability for upcoming matches, adding another layer of concern for the squad as they look to improve their fortunes in the league and cup. Overall, this match illustrated the drama and unpredictability characteristic of knockout competitions, highlighting the importance of mental strength in pushing through difficult moments. Arsenal's victory not only extends their journey in the Carabao Cup but also reinforces their dominance in domestic competitions as they continue to press for trophies this season.