Mikel Arteta has highlighted the crucial contribution of an often-overlooked squad member following Arsenal's nerve-shredding Carabao Cup quarter-final triumph over Crystal Palace.
A Night of High Drama at the Emirates
The match on Tuesday night delivered a frantic conclusion that few could have predicted. Arsenal seized the lead with just ten minutes of normal time remaining, courtesy of an own goal. However, Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi struck a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time, sending the tie straight to a penalty shootout.
The two sides then endured a marathon 16-penalty showdown, with only one spot-kick missed, before Arsenal finally secured their place in the semi-finals. The victory provides another significant boost for the Gunners, who remain competitive across all fronts this season.
Arteta's Special Praise for a Squad Player
In the aftermath of the epic contest, Arteta reserved particular acclaim for holding midfielder Christian Norgaard. The Danish international was handed a rare start, making only his ninth appearance of the campaign across all competitions, with a mere two of those coming in the Premier League.
When asked about Norgaard's performance, the Arsenal manager was effusive. "Very well. He did very, very well," Arteta stated. "But I'm not surprised. When we brought him in and had those discussions, he understood perfectly what his role was. He's someone that, like Kepa, makes everybody around the team much better. And when you need him to play and perform, he does it."
Arteta described having such reliable players to call upon as a "privilege", a luxury he feels the squad has only developed this season. He emphasised the importance of every player maintaining the right mindset, regardless of their playing time.
Looking Ahead to a London Derby Semi-Final
With the quarter-final hurdle cleared, Arsenal now face a two-legged semi-final clash against London rivals Chelsea. The first leg will be played at Stamford Bridge, setting up a tantalising capital confrontation for a place at Wembley.
Arteta expressed his delight at reaching the final four, especially given the number of changes made to his starting lineup. "I'm very happy. We're in the semi-final, it's where we wanted to be," he said. "I'm really happy considering the amount of changes that we've made."
He also acknowledged the emotional rollercoaster of conceding so late, before praising his team's composure during the decisive shootout and highlighting goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's match-winning save.
