Kepa Arrizabalaga said he had to make a quick change in mentality after a late Crystal Palace equalizer turned Tuesday’s League Cup quarter-final shootout into a shootout, with the Arsenal goalkeeper making a crucial save to earn his side a place in the last four.
An own goal from Maxence Lacroix gave Arsenal the lead in the 80th minute before Palace’s Marc Guehi equalized in stoppage time to level the penalties.
Arrizabalaga then made it an even more miserable evening for Lacroix by saving the Frenchman’s effort as Arsenal won the shootout 8-7.
«Emotionally you have to be focused and strong,» Arrizabalaga told Arsenal’s official website.
“Because if you concede in the last minute and then you have to go to penalties, you obviously have to concentrate 100% on the penalty takers that you have to save.
“So it was a change in mindset, and it worked.
“And then credit to the boys, they took great penalties.
“They keep us in the game and give me a chance to make the save.”
Premier League leader Arsenal hosts Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Published on December 24, 2025
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