Arsenal booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a penalty shootout victory over Crystal Palace.Mikel Arteta made eight changes from the team that beat Everton 1-0 and that new-look team dominated the first half, all that was missing was that crucial goal to break the deadlock.

For 80 minutes, it looked as if the gamble to take so many big names out of the team would backfire, before Maxence Lacroix accidentally poked the ball into his own net from a corner, a familiar route to goal for Arsenal. But the Emirates was rocked when Marc Guehi reacted quickest to equalise in the fifth minute of stoppage time. He sent the tie to penalties before Palace came out on top during the spot-kicks in sudden death. Here, Express Sport rates the Gunners team…

Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper

Kepa – 6

Had very little to do but could not beat Guehi to the ball for Palace’s goal. Saved Lacroix’s penalty to spark wild celebrations.

Defence

Jurrien Timber – 6

The ever-bombing-forward defender spurned three efforts at goal in the first half and looked fatigued, having rarely been given a rest this season.

William Saliba – 8

Got to display his impressive dribbling skills while advancing the ball and proving he can contribute to the Arsenal attack. Then made a brilliant intervention to deny Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 78th minute.

Riccardo Calafiori – 7

Filled in at centre-back, with Piero Hincapie’s absence a concern, and made light work of marking Mateta but lost a header late on that led to Guehi’s equaliser.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6

A composed performance, having been given a rare chance at left-back. But it would be a surprise if this performance ousts first-choice Riccardo Calafiori again. Denied late by another wonderful save from Walter Benitez.

Midfield

Christian Norgaard – 6

A quiet game, but he does not offer as much on the ball as Martin Zubimendi. His presence may be more suited to games where the Gunners will not dominate possession.

Eberechi Eze – 6

Struggled to unpick a Palace defence that knows him so well. Taken off after just over an hour, with Arteta unwilling to play both the England international and Martin Odegaard together.

Mikel Merino – 7

Wearing the captain’s armband, he made a very slick through ball to Eberechi Eze, which split the entire defence. Eze set up Gabriel Jesus, but the Brazilian could not finish. Otherwise a quiet game and he may be better suited up front.

Attack

Noni Madueke – 6

Should have done better with a shot on goal in the opening few minutes and was on the receiving end of a furious touchline message from Arteta after an hour. Moments later Noni Madueke was substituted off for Bukayo Saka.

Gabriel Jesus – 7

On his first Arsenal start since January 12 and a 100th appearance in total for the club, he nearly made a perfect return when his glancing header was well saved by Benitez. His influence waned as the match went on, however.

Gabriel Martinelli – 9

Was a constant threat up against stand-in wing-back Jaydee Canvot and Arsenal’s biggest attacking threat, as the Brazilian fights for a starting position with Leandro Trossard.

He created chance after chance and left Canvot for dead on several occasions in potentially one of the winger’s best performances for Arsenal and the Palace defender was subsequently taken off at half-time to spare him from further damage.

Unfortunately substituted off after 59 minutes following a heavy challenge on the stroke of half-time, with a night that promised so much ending in frustration and anger for Gabriel Martinelli.

Substitutes

Leandro Trossard (59′) – 7

Offered a chance to reclaim his place at a moment when Martinelli was breathing down his neck before an injury ended his evening, Trossard looked lively as ever. He linked up well with Calafiori and Mikel Merino to create one of the bigger chances in the second half.

Bukayo Saka (67′) – 7

His dangerous corner was deflected into the Palace goal by Lacroix. Once again Saka’s delivery proved golden for Arsenal. Had a penalty shout denied in the 100th minute.

Martin Odegaard (67′) – 6

Could not go one step further than his predecessor Eze and unlock the Palace defence.

Declan Rice (85′) – N/A

Brought on to help see out the win and scored his penalty in the shootout.