Arsenal’s progression into the Carabao Cup semi-finals came with relief rather than celebration, as Mikel Arteta’s side once again highlighted a growing concern around creativity in the final third.
The Gunners edged past Crystal Palace on penalties at the Emirates Stadium, but the performance raised questions about whether their most gifted attacking players are delivering consistently enough.
Despite enjoying large spells of possession and territorial dominance, Arsenal struggled to turn control into clear-cut chances during normal time. Much of the focus has fallen on the creative responsibilities carried by Martin Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze, two players expected to unlock compact defences and provide moments of quality in decisive areas.
Ødegaard, usually the heartbeat of Arsenal’s attacking play, found it difficult to impose himself on the game, while Eze’s influence was intermittent. Both players showed flashes of intent, but too often the final pass, decisive movement or clinical edge was missing. Against a disciplined Crystal Palace side, Arsenal’s attacks frequently broke down before reaching a dangerous conclusion.
Arteta responded by introducing key players from the bench in an attempt to increase urgency, yet the pattern remained largely the same. Arsenal moved the ball well but lacked the cutting edge required to kill the game off inside 90 minutes. In the end, it took a penalty shootout – and heroics from Kepa Arrizabalaga – to secure a place in the last four.
The result keeps Arsenal’s cup ambitions alive, but the performance underlined a wider issue that has surfaced at various points this season. For a team with title aspirations and a desire to compete on multiple fronts, greater creative output is needed from its leading playmakers.
As fixtures pile up and the margin for error narrows, Arteta will be hoping Ødegaard and Eze can rediscover their sharpness. Arsenal’s structure remains strong, but without consistent inspiration in attack, their progress could become increasingly difficult in the latter stages of major competitions.