Arsenal Beat Crystal Palace On Penalties To Reach EFL Cup Semi-Finals

Arsenal advanced to the EFL Cup semi-finals for the second year in a row after edging Crystal Palace on penalties following a 1-1 draw. The scoring began late in normal time when Maxence Lacroix inadvertently turned William Saliba’s effort into his own net in the 81st minute. Palace responded in stoppage time, with Marc Guéhi finishing Jefferson Lerma’s knock-down in the six-yard box to level the score. Both teams started brightly, with Tyrick Mitchell firing wide for Palace and Noni Madueke forcing a low save from Walter Benítez. Benítez was also called into action to deny a goal-bound header from Gabriel Jesus. After the break, Palace looked more threatening, with Jefferson Lerma heading over and Adam Wharton’s long-range effort narrowly missing. The match went to a tense penalty shootout, where Kepa Arrizabalaga kept out Lacroix’s spot-kick, giving Arsenal an 8-7 shootout victory. Mikel Arteta’s side will now face Chelsea in a two-legged semi-final across January and February.

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Arsenal Edge Everton 1-0 To Reclaim Premier League Top Spot

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, in a game far from their most fluent display. The Gunners were under pressure after Manchester City had briefly overtaken them with a comfortable win over West Ham United earlier in the day, making the trip to Mikel Arteta’s former club a must-win. The decisive moment came in the 27th minute when Everton defender Jake O’Brien handled Declan Rice’s corner in the penalty area. Viktor Gyokores converted the spot-kick emphatically, extending his perfect record in league penalties to 19 from 19 since the start of the 2023-24 season. Arsenal created more chances in the second half, with Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi both hitting the woodwork, but the penalty proved enough to secure the three points. David Raya and the Arsenal defence were rarely troubled despite Everton’s spirited efforts. Everton were without key attackers Iliman Ndiaye, away at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, out with a hamstring injury, leaving the side light on creativity and goals. Thierno Barry and Beto offered little threat, and the team’s lack of a reliable striker remains an issue for the January transfer window. The home side felt hard done by late on when they appealed for a penalty after William Saliba appeared to trip Barry, but VAR ruled no foul had occurred. Dwight McNeil, Tyler Dibling, and Jack Grealish had minimal impact, adding to Everton’s frustration in front of a lively crowd. The result puts Arsenal two points clear of Manchester City and six ahead of third-placed Aston Villa, sending a clear message that while their performance lacked polish, their title ambitions remain very much alive.

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Emirates Late Drama: Own Goal Secures 2-1 Win Over Wolves To Keep Us Top Of Premier League

An own goal deep into second-half stoppage time secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium, keeping us top of the Premier League. After a subdued first half, we came alive after the break, testing Wolves keeper Johnstone with several efforts before taking the lead on 70 minutes. Bukayo Saka’s corner hit the post and deflected off the visiting goalkeeper into the net. As the match approached full time, Wolves struck back. Tolu Arokodare’s header leveled the score, threatening a repeat of recent late collapses against Sunderland and Aston Villa. But in the 94th minute, Yerson Mosquera inadvertently redirected another Saka corner past Johnstone, securing a priceless victory and stretching our lead at the summit to five points. First Half Frustration Fans may have expected a straightforward scoring display for the league leaders against a side struggling at the foot of the table, but the opening 45 minutes were largely cagey. Our first meaningful chance saw Jurrien Timber nod over from close range, with Viktor Gyokeres arguably better positioned to test Johnstone. Wolves then broke quickly, allowing Hwang Hee-Chan a 50-yard run and shot that David Raya managed to block. In the chase, Ben White suffered a muscle injury, forcing Myles Lewis-Skelly on in the 30th minute. Gabriel Martinelli had three opportunities to break the deadlock but failed to capitalize—heading wide, seeing a shot blocked, and then poking one past the post. Despite our dominance, we entered half-time without a shot on target. Wolves, meanwhile, had a late chance of their own, only denied by a crucial Piero Hincapie sliding block. Stroke of Fortune The breakthrough finally came on 70 minutes. Saka curled a corner toward goal, which struck the far post and bounced off Johnstone into the net, ending a 46-year wait to score against Wolves under these circumstances. After taking the lead, we pressed for a second, with Martin Ødegaard, Leandro Trossard, and Mikel Merino introduced to add fresh impetus. Ødegaard forced a side-netting effort, Gyokeres’ turned shot narrowly missed, and Trossard’s close-range attempt skimmed past the post. Double Late Drama Wolves launched a late fightback, and in the 90th minute, Matheus Mane’s cross found Arokodare, whose header beat Raya to level the score. Just when it seemed we might drop points again, Saka’s corner in the 94th minute caused chaos in the box. Gabriel Jesus pressured Mosquera, whose deflection found the net, sending the Emirates into euphoria and securing a vital three points. The win kept us atop the table and marked another thrilling example of our resilience in the dying moments of games.

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Arsenal Seal Strong 3–0 Win With Madueke Brace And Martinelli Screamer

Arsenal’s 3–0 victory began to take shape early on, with the home side showing clear intent from the opening whistle. Their first real warning came in the 22nd minute when Piero Hincapié unleashed a powerful effort that clipped the right post, a moment that hinted at the pressure to come. The breakthrough followed shortly after. In the 25th minute, Noni Madueke produced a brilliant long-range strike that crashed off the same post before sliding into the net, giving Arsenal a deserved 1–0 advantage and settling the rhythm of the contest. After going into the break with that slim lead, Arsenal exploded out of the dressing room. Barely two minutes into the second half, Madueke struck again—this time rising to nod home from close range after a well-placed delivery from Martin Zubimendi, doubling the score at 2–0 as the opposing goalkeeper failed to react decisively. By the 56th minute, the result was beyond doubt. Gabriel Martinelli capped the performance with a sensational finish into the top-right corner, leaving Dani van den Heuvel helpless and sealing Arsenal’s commanding 3–0 win.

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Buendia’s Last-Gasp Strike Secures 2-1 Aston Villa Win Over Arsenal, Ending 18-Match Unbeaten Run

Arsenal’s 18-match unbeaten run came to a dramatic end on Saturday as Emiliano Buendia’s last-gasp strike secured a 2-1 victory for Aston Villa over the Premier League leaders. The Gunners fell behind at Villa Park when Matty Cash put the hosts ahead in the first half, but Leandro Trossard pulled Arsenal level after coming off the bench following the interval. Both teams had opportunities to take the lead, but it was Argentine winger Buendia who capitalised on sloppy defending from Arsenal to score the winner in the dying moments of the game. This defeat marks Arsenal’s first loss in all competitions since a 1-0 setback at Liverpool on August 31, the only other defeat they had suffered this season. Aston Villa have repeatedly troubled Arsenal in recent seasons, taking key points at pivotal moments in the title race. Saturday’s win was yet another painful encounter for Mikel Arteta’s side, this time against Villa under former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, whose team have emerged as surprise title contenders with a streak of seven consecutive wins in all competitions. The result leaves Arsenal just three points ahead of second-placed Villa, while third-placed Manchester City can cut the gap to two points if they defeat Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium later on Saturday.

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Arsenal Tighten Grip On Premier League Summit With Comfortable 2-0 Brentford Win

Arsenal continued their steady march at the top of the Premier League with a calm 2–0 win over Brentford on Wednesday night, as Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka delivered the decisive goals. Mikel Arteta rang the changes after the draw with Chelsea, bringing in Ben White, Noni Madueke and captain Martin Ødegaard. The reshuffle paid off almost immediately, with Arsenal settling into control from the opening minutes. The breakthrough arrived in the 11th minute when White surged forward on the right flank and whipped in a dangerous delivery. Merino met the cross with a firm header that left Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher with no chance. Operating in an unfamiliar attacking role because of injuries to Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyökeres, Merino once again proved his value in front of goal. The strike took his tally to 13 goals in 2025, the best return among Arsenal players this year. Brentford’s best opportunity came from a set-piece, as Kevin Schade rose highest at a corner, only for David Raya to claw the header onto the crossbar. Beyond that moment, the visitors struggled to build any real momentum. Just before the interval, Arsenal struck again. Merino turned provider, threading a clever pass into Saka’s path, and the winger kept his composure to finish, even after Kelleher got a touch to the ball. Arsenal remained on top in the second half without needing to move through the gears, though Arteta was forced into two changes as Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice both picked up knocks. The victory stretches Arsenal’s unbeaten run across all competitions to 18 matches and makes it eight straight home wins, further strengthening their grip on the summit of the Premier League table.

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Arsenal Held To 1–1 Draw By Ten-Man Chelsea As Merino Cancels Chalobah’s Header

Arsenal left Stamford Bridge with a single point after Mikel Merino wiped out Trevoh Chalobah’s opener in a contest that felt equal parts chess match and street fight, even after Chelsea were reduced to 10 men. The evening opened with promise on both ends: Bukayo Saka drifted into a pocket of daylight but couldn’t turn it into gold, while Estêvão flashed a reminder of his threat without delivering the final spark. The rhythm never quite settled. Every duel carried a charge, and Moisés Caicedo cranked up the voltage when he flew into Merino with a studs-up challenge that caught the Spaniard above the foot. Merino hobbled but survived, refusing to surrender his place in the storm. Chelsea, a man down, refused to retreat into a shell. Early in the second half, Reece James curled in a teasing corner from the left, and Chalobah rose through the crowd to thump home his third league goal of the campaign, the roar from the stands swelling like blue thunder. Mikel Arteta had both Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Jesus waiting on the bench, but Arsenal found their breakthrough through a midfielder who’s been moonlighting as a poacher. Saka clipped in a searching cross, and Merino ghosted into the box to guide it home just before the hour mark, a finish with all the calm of a man flicking a switch. Arsenal pushed. Chelsea bent but refused to break. Robert Sánchez delivered two heroic moments late on, first smothering Merino’s low strike, then springing up to hurl himself into the path of Gyökeres’ rebound, absorbing the impact and the applause in one breath. For Arsenal, the draw tasted like a meal missing seasoning. They never truly exploited their advantage, and the chance to widen their grip slipped away. They still end the weekend five points clear after Manchester City’s win over Leeds. Chelsea, meanwhile, battled with grit sharpened by adversity, matching their visitors stride for stride and climbing back into third place ahead of Aston Villa.

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Chelsea vs Arsenal: Premier League Showdown Set to Shape Title Race

The Premier League’s most anticipated clash of the season takes place on Sunday as leaders Arsenal travel to second-placed Chelsea in a match that could transform the title race — or push the Gunners closer to ending their two-decade wait for a league crown. Arsenal hold a six-point advantage at the top heading into the weekend. With Liverpool collapsing in form and Manchester City struggling to keep pace, the title appears increasingly within Arsenal’s grasp. Chelsea, however, remain their closest challengers. Fresh off winning the FIFA Club World Cup and boasting a squad assembled at a cost exceeding $1bn, Enzo Maresca’s youthful side is pushing well ahead of expectations. The Blues head into the derby on a three-match winning run and have won nine of their last 11 matches in all competitions, losing only once. Arteta’s side is unbeaten in 16 matches across all competitions, winning 14 of them. Widely regarded as one of the strongest squads in Europe, Arsenal have shown consistency that has escaped their main rivals. Arteta: Chelsea “fully deserve” their spot Despite Chelsea being labelled outsiders for the title, Mikel Arteta is not buying into that narrative. “They are there because they fully deserve to be,” Arteta said on Friday. “The squad they have assembled, the quality they have, the numbers they’re producing — it makes sense. They’re very tough.” Arteta called Chelsea one of the teams he most enjoys watching due to their fluidity, individual brilliance and tactical clarity. “It’s a big London derby. They’re in really good form. We know the challenge — and the opportunity — on Sunday. We are fully ready.” Are Chelsea Arsenal’s biggest threat? This match represents the most difficult test yet for Chelsea’s title aspirations. Eighteen-year-old Brazilian sensation Estevao, with nine goals in his last 13 appearances for club and country, has been a revelation. His arrival from Palmeiras has added dynamism and unpredictability to Chelsea’s attack. With Liverpool in crisis — having lost nine of their last 12 matches — and Manchester City’s inconsistency continuing, Chelsea appear the only team capable of sustaining a push against Arsenal. City, however, could climb temporarily into second place if they defeat Leeds United on Saturday. Recent history After finishing runners-up for three consecutive seasons, optimism is building that Arsenal may finally reclaim the trophy. Chelsea’s last match Chelsea delivered one of their best performances of the season on Tuesday, beating Barcelona 3–0 in the Champions League. Maresca, in his second Premier League campaign, continues to blend youthful talent with an evolving tactical identity. Sunday’s encounter at Stamford Bridge now stands as a pivotal moment in the Premier League narrative — one that could define the season’s closing months.

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