Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Kepa Arrizabalaga the penalty hero and Gabriel Jesus sharp

Kepa Arrizabalaga was Arsenal’s hero as they beat Crystal Palace on penalties to seal their place in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

The Arsenal goalkeeper stopped Maxence Lacroix’s penalty from dying suddenly after Marc Guehi’s stoppage-time equalizer forced penalties at the Emirates Stadium.

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Arsenal found the first goal ten minutes from time as Bukayo Saka’s corner was converted by Lacroix, but Guehi scored at the death to take the match to penalties.

After a perfect run of Arsenal penalties, Kepa dove low to his right to deny Lacroix and set up a semi-final showdown with Chelsea.

Sam Tabuteau assessed the Arsenal players at the Emirates Stadium…

Kepa Arrizabalaga8

Arsenal’s hero in the penalty shootout, saving low to his right to deny Lacroix.

Jurrien Bois 6

I arrived after a great skill from Martinelli. He wasn’t able to influence the game as much as he would have liked on offense. Penalty confident with pressure.

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Guillaume Saliba 7

More important minutes for the Frenchman, following his return from injury. Made a superb last-ditch tackle to deny Mateta in the second half. Marked on site.

Riccardo Calafiori4

Palace’s attack didn’t ask much of him, but just when he was needed, he lost his header for Guehi’s equalizer. Stepped up to score from the spot.

Myles Lewis-Skelly 6

Some good recovery tackles and a good drop in midfield to try and overwhelm Palace. Added some directness to Arsenal’s play in the center of the park.

Christian Norgaard4

Sloppy possession. Arsenal dominated, but struggled to maintain pressure in the second half, with Norgaard being one-dimensional when the ball was at his feet.

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Mikel Merino 5

Opened up an opportunity for Jesus, which eventually led to Arsenal’s opener, but struggled to give the Gunners a foothold in possession. Marked on site with a nice rolled finish to the bottom corner.

Ebéréchi Eze 4

Took some nice positions between the lines, but didn’t create much in the final third. Substituted midway through the second half.

Gabriel Martinelli7

A threat intervening or leading to signature. His curling performance deserved to be finished by Jesus. Sent Canvot to the floor with a nice change of pace late in the first half. Substituted just before the hour mark.

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Noni Madueke 6

Lively in the first half but derivative after the break. He should have scored from the start of the match, firing obediently at Benitez when he was sent through on goal.

Gabriel Jesus 7

He looked lively on his return to action and made a couple of good saves from Benitez. Filed to link the game, while also providing an option behind. Not in full sharpness, but a promising performance and valuable minutes.

Substitutes

Léandro Trossard 6

Was kept quiet by the Palace defense but scored from the spot as experienced Arsenal players made the difference.

Martin Odegaard 6

Replaced Eze, but was equally ineffective. Store in possession without being able to create anything meaningful. Marked on site.

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Bukayo Saka7

It was his corner which was finally taken involuntarily by Lacroix. Penalty confident to keep the pressure on Palace.

Declan Rice 6

I saw his effort towards death saved by Benitez. Marked on site.