In a heart-stopping Carabao Cup encounter that had everything, Arsenal eventually prevailed 4-2 on penalties against a determined Brighton side after a captivating 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Gunners' Lightning Start
Mikel Arteta's men exploded out of the blocks, establishing a commanding two-goal lead within the opening 25 minutes. The ever-impressive Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock with a clinical finish after just 13 minutes, before Gabriel Martinelli doubled the advantage with a composed strike that sent the home fans into raptures.
Seagulls Mount Stunning Comeback
Just as Arsenal appeared to be cruising, Brighton staged a remarkable second-half resurgence that turned the tie on its head. Evan Ferguson ignited the comeback with a well-taken goal, before Joao Pedro completed the turnaround with a dramatic 88th-minute equaliser that silenced the Emirates.
Raya Emerges as Penalty Hero
With the scores level after extra time, the match proceeded to penalties where Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya cemented his status as the hero of the hour. The Spanish shot-stopper produced two magnificent saves to deny Brighton's spot-kickers, ultimately securing Arsenal's passage to the quarter-finals.
Key Talking Points
- Arsenal's squad depth tested: Arteta's rotation policy nearly backfired as Brighton exposed defensive vulnerabilities
- Brighton's resilience: The Seagulls demonstrated remarkable character to fight back from two goals down
- Penalty drama: Raya's heroics underline his importance to the Gunners' cup ambitions
The victory keeps Arsenal's hopes of Carabao Cup glory alive, though Arteta will have concerns about his side's inability to close out the game after establishing such a commanding lead. For Brighton, there will be pride in their fighting spirit but disappointment at ultimately falling short in the shootout.
