AFCON 2025
Arsenal have qualified for the semi-finals of the 2024/2025 EFL Cup after defeating Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Gunners didn’t score from any of their corner-kicks on the night as all the three goals came from open play.
The home side came from a goal down to dump their city rivals out of the competition courtesy of Gabriel Jesus’ three-star performance.
The Brazilian striker put on a fantastic show on the night as his second half hat trick sent the Gunners into the penultimate round of the competition.
Jean Phillipe-Marteta gave the visitors an early lead while Arsenal settling into the game. The French striker took advantage of a defensive blunder to put Palace ahead.
Dean Henderson had quite a busy time in between the sticks after Palace took the lead.
The former Manchester United goalkeeper denied Raheem Sterling from equalizing with a fine save on the 31st minute.
The Gunners controlled the game after conceding but the first half ended with the scoreline unchanged.
Dean Henderson once gain put out a fantastic save to stop Raheem Sterling’s shot from touching the back of the net.
Eventually, the English goalkeeper got beaten by Gabriel Jesus.
Martin Ordegaard found the former Manchester City striker in space, layed a pass towards him before he chipped the ball over the goalkeeper who was meters off his line.
Gabriel Jesus powered a right-footed strike ikto bottom left-corner to put Arsenal into the lead on the 73rd minute after a square ball from Bukayo Saka.
The Brazilian forward appeared to be in an offisde position when he made the move to score but there was no chance for a review due to the absence of VAR in the competition.
Martin Ordegaard once again provided an assist for Gabriel Jesus as he bagged his hat trick on the night to give Arsenal a 3-1 lead with less than 15 minutes to the end of the match.
Former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah scored a header from Nathaniel Clyne’s cross a few minutes later to reduce the deficit for Crystal Palace.
The London derby ended 3-2 in favour of Arsenal as they progress into the final four of the competition.
