Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner was impressed with the performance of goalkeeper Walter Benitez, despite his side’s defeat to Arsenal in the EFL Cup quarterfinal on Tuesday night.
The Eagles suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to the Gunners, but would have been knocked out in regular time if not for the heroics of the Argentine goalkeeper.
The 32-year-old kept his side in the clash with multiple saves from a barrage of Arsenal’s attack and was unfortunate to be beaten by an own goal from Maxence Lacroix.
The goalkeeper saved two spot-kicks on his debut against Millwall earlier in the season, but was beaten by all of the Gunners’ eight kicks as his side exited the competition.
“Second half, proud. Really great goalkeeper, who kept us in the game but in the second half I saw a different team”, Glasner said after the game.
“Coming back here was really great. I don’t know if I’ve seen a shoot-out where all the penalties are taken so well.”
Arsenal were the dominant side in the encounter with several chances to go ahead, but were consistently repelled by the impressive Benitez.
They snatched a late goal in the clash after Lacroix had inadvertently put the ball into his own net, but Mar Guehi’s finish in stoppage-time sent the game into penalty shootout.
The first 15 kicks were converted until Lacroix’s effort was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga, sending Arsenal through to the last four.
“We have to build on the second half performance, everyone is telling us we have fatigue but if you can switch and play like we did in the second half at the Emirates, it’s very positive”, he continued.
“We were braver and much more aggressive. We played more in their half. It was much better than the first half, we were too passive.
“It is not easy to play here against Arsenal. What we have shown in the second half was really good.”
Arsenal will now face Chelsea over two legs in the semifinal of this season’s EFL Cup, while holders Newcastle United and Manchester City face-off in the other semifinal clash.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
