Overview
No player in Arsenal's current starting lineup has seen the "Gunners" last win the Carabao Cup - a tournament they have only won twice in history, in 1987 and 1993. However, Wembley is now once again in the hands of the North London team.
Over the past decade, Manchester City and Liverpool - teams with outstanding squad depth - have dominated the tournament. After investing up to £250 million in the summer of 2025, Arsenal are also approaching that criterion, although injury problems continue to make it difficult for coach Mikel Arteta.
However, the North London side have reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the fourth time in the last six seasons. They also won all matches in this round in the 2021-2022 and 2024-2025 seasons, although they both stopped in the semi-finals soon after.
Arsenal are temporarily putting aside their Premier League ambitions to focus on their goal of reaching the semi-finals. And the 1-0 win over Everton further strengthened their spirit, while helping them stay at the top of the table until Christmas.
Arteta and his team entered the quarter-finals with a series of 3 consecutive wins in all competitions. The Premier League leaders are also showing impressive home form, having won 11 of their 12 games at the Emirates this season, including their last nine consecutive wins.
That run ended with a narrow win over Crystal Palace, a game in which Palace were haunted by ex-player Eberechi Eze. This was an unidealistic warm-up for Palace for the away trip to Premier League champions Liverpool just three days later.
However, a Crystal Palace almost strongest crushed Liverpool's youth and reserve squad 3-0, thereby hoping to win a third title within 12 months after success in the FA Cup and Community Shield.
The pressure of balancing domestic and European competitions is eroding Palace. Oliver Glasner's side travel to the Emirates on a three-match winless run, including two consecutive defeats in the Premier League.
Although Palace's young players played well in the 2-2 draw in the Conference League against KuPS, Glasner's newly renovated first team suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat to Leeds United and have conceded 9 goals in the last 3 matches.
History is not on Palace's side either. In the 2024-2025 Carabao Cup quarter-finals, Arsenal beat them 3-2 thanks to a hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus. If they re-establish that scenario in the middle of this week, the "Gunners" will qualify for the semi-finals against Chelsea.
Personnel situation
Arsenal's squad situation before the quarter-finals did not change much, as Arteta still faced a series of injuries. Absences include Max Dowman (fishing eye), Gabriel Magalhaes (heeled), Kai Havertz (knee), Cristhian Mosquera (fishing eye) and Ben White (hammock).
Although the tournament has entered the decisive stage, the ability to rotate the squad is still very high. It is not ruled out that Gabriel Jesus will have his first starting match since January, in the context that Viktor Gyokeres could be given a break.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace entered the quarter-finals with many difficulties in personnel. Glasner's side will be without Ismaila Sarr (AFCON), key right-back Daniel Munoz and key midfielder Daichi Kamada due to knee and thigh injuries.
In addition, Rio Cardines (for theap), Cheick Doucoure (knee), Caleb Kporha (back) and Chadi Riad (knee) are all unable to play. Palace have also been forced to be cautious with Jean- Philippe Mateta, who is still struggling with a knee.
Expected lineup:
Arsenal: Kepa, Nichols, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Norgaard, Merino, Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli.
Crystal Palace: Benitez, Richards, Guehi, Canvot, Clyne, Lerma, Wharton, Sosa, Pino, Devenny, Uche.
The match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace takes place at 3:00 am on December 24 (Vietnam time).
