Carabao Cup Semi-Final Fixtures Confirmed as Arsenal Edge Palace on Penalties

The semi-final fixtures for this season’s Carabao Cup have been officially confirmed following Arsenal’s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Crystal Palace on Tuesday night.

The Gunners were the last team to secure a place in the final four, with the other three semi-finalists already known before kickoff. While Mikel Arteta’s side dominated large spells of the contest, they had to dig deep to avoid a shock exit.

Arsenal eventually took the lead in the second half through an unfortunate Maxence Lacroix own goal, a moment that reflected their sustained pressure rather than pure luck. However, Crystal Palace refused to go quietly. Captain Marc Guehi struck a late equaliser in added time, forcing the tie into penalties and sending nerves through the Arsenal camp.

In the shoot-out, Kepa Arizzabalaga proved decisive, saving Lacroix’s spot kick to seal Arsenal’s passage into the semi-finals.

As a result, Arsenal will face familiar rivals Chelsea in what promises to be a fiery London derby, while Manchester City have been drawn against Newcastle United in the other semi-final clash.

Opinion: A Test of Character, Not Just Quality

For Arsenal, this victory felt like more than just progression—it was a test of mentality. In previous seasons, late setbacks like Guehi’s equaliser might have unraveled them. This time, they stood firm. That resilience could prove vital as the competition reaches its decisive stages.

The semi-final against Chelsea adds extra spice. Form often goes out the window in derby matches, and Arteta’s men will need more than dominance—they’ll need ruthlessness. For Chelsea, it’s a chance to measure their progress against a side widely seen as genuine contenders.

Meanwhile, Manchester City versus Newcastle United feels like a clash of ambition and authority. City will enter as favourites, but Newcastle have shown they are no longer content to simply participate—they want silverware.

With two mouth-watering semi-final ties lined up, the Carabao Cup is shaping up to deliver drama, rivalry, and possibly a few surprises. For the neutral, it doesn’t get much better than this.