Arteta gives immediate injury update after Arsenal suffer scare in Carabao Cup
Arsenal defeated Crystal Palace on penalties with Kepa Arrizabalaga earning the victory with a save from Maxence Lacroix after the Gunners netted their eight efforts
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said Gabriel Martinelli “could not carry on” as the Gunners got a fresh injury scare during their Carabao Cup quarter-final. Martinelli made way for Leandro Trossard just before the hour mark in Tuesday’s clash, which the North London side won after a penalty shoot-out.
Kepa Arrizabalaga saved Maxence Lacroix’s penalty to seal Arsenal’s place in the semi-finals, where they will face Chelsea. A late goal from Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi had forced spot kicks after Lacroix’s own-goal had earlier appeared to hand the north London side victory.
“He could not carry on so what we had to make the sub,” Arteta said after the win. Despite the injury worry, though, the Spaniard was happy to see his team move one step closer to a trip to Wembley.
“Very happy to be in the semi-final,” he said. “We played against a team that is very hard to generate chances. We generated a lot and should have had more goals.
“When you don’t close the game, it [(a late equaliser) can always happen. The players were so composed with the penalties. In the second half they were more aggressive but overall, it’s another victory and I’m very happy.”
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Goalkeeper Kepa had a rare chance to be the hero after playing second fiddle to David Raya throughout the league season. The Spanish international was twice a runner-up in the competition with Chelsea and is now looking to go one better.
“I think we play so well and then they changed, they adapt a little bit,” he told Sky Sports after the win. “It’s something we have to improve, we have been conceding in the last minute.”
His save from Lacroix came after both teams scored each of their first seven penalties in the shoot-out. “You have to keep your cool, be focused and don’t lose your focus.”
It was William Saliba who scored what proved to be the decisive penalty. The 24-year-old was making just his third appearance after a recent injury lay-off and was pleased to have come through the tough test.
“It was a tough game against a top team. We did well. Apart from my mistake, we played well,” the French international said.
“We are so happy to be in the semi-final. We have to learn the lesson from last season (when Arsenal lost their semi against Newcastle). At the end, Kepa saved us. We want to win both games and go into the final.”
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