Soccer-Arsenal keeper Kepa credits shift in mindset for vital shootout save


Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Quarter Final - Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 23, 2025 Arsenal's Kepa Arrizabalaga saves a penalty from Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix during the penalty shootout REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Dec 24 (Reuters) - Kepa ‌Arrizabalaga said he had to make a ‌quick shift in mindset after a late ‌Crystal Palace equaliser took Tuesday's League Cup quarter-final to a shootout, where the Arsenal goalkeeper made a crucial save to ‍earn his side a spot ‍in the last four.

A ‌Maxence Lacroix own goal gave Arsenal the lead ‍in the ​80th minute before Palace's Marc Guehi levelled in stoppage time to take ⁠the tie to penalties.

Arrizabalaga then made it ‌an even more miserable night for Lacroix by saving the ⁠Frenchman's effort ‍as Arsenal won the shootout 8-7.

“Emotionally, you have to be focused, be strong," Arrizabalaga told Arsenal's official ‍website.

"Because obviously when you concede ‌in the last minute and then you have to go to penalties, you need to 100% focused on your penalty takers you need to save.

"So it was a change of mindset, and it worked.

"And then credit to the guys, they took ‌amazing penalties.

"They keep us in the game, and they give me an opportunity to make a save."

Premier League ​leaders Arsenal next host Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

(Reporting by Karan Prashant Saxena in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Football

Soccer-Lucescu leaves role as Romania coach
Soccer-UEFA chief Ceferin threatens to remove Italy as Euro 2032 co-host over infrastructure
Soccer-Italy federation chief resigns after another World Cup failure
Soccer-Serie A title race back in the spotlight after turbulent week for Italian football
Soccer-Japan women's coach Nielsen steps down, weeks after Asian Cup glory
Soccer-Bayern eye all-time goal record but busy Freiburg no pushovers at home
Soccer-Australia, Japan women say AFC ignoring pay inequality concerns
Soccer-Drinks on me! Bosnia's Demirovic to buy Stuttgart fans beer after World Cup qualification
Soccer-Isak ready for team training return after injury layoff in boost for Liverpool, Sweden
Soccer-Tuchel says Foden cannot be sure of a place in England World Cup squad

Others Also Read