Arsenal meet London rivals, Crystal Palace in the Quarter-Finals of 2024-25 Carabao Cup.
Victory will see Arsenal reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2021-22 season, whilst Palace look to end a 13-year wait for a last-four appearance – having last reached the semis in 2011-12 season.
Team News
Declan Rice is a doubt for Arsenal after he suffered a knock in their goalless draw against Everton.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (muscle), Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White (all knee) remain absent.
Palace could be without Joel Ward due to a calf injury which kept him out of their 3-1 win at Brighton.
Eberechi Eze is a doubt after he picked up a minor foot injury, but Daniel Munoz is suspended.
Adam Wharton (groin), Matheus Franca (adductor) and Rob Holding (personal) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Arsenal host Palace at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday 18 December at 7:30pm GMT, live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have won two of four previous League Cup meetings against Palace (W2, D1, L1), although those four clashes were across two-legged ties in which both teams took one aggregate win apiece.
- This is Palace’s first cup tie against Arsenal to be played at the Gunners’ modern home – Emirates Stadium.
- Arsenal have not met Palace in any cup competition this century – having last done so in February 1998 in the FA Cup.
- Ethan Nwaneri has three goals in two Carabao Cup appearances for Arsenal this season.
- Eberechi Eze has been involved in five of Palace’s eight Carabao Cup goals this season (two goals plus three assists).
Prediction
Missing their final touch against Everton at the weekend, Arsenal should be really motivated to deliver a stronger result if can just put their chances away because they were otherwise defensively excellent.
Palace though won’t make it easy if can show the same calm composure and quality which saw them dispatch Brighton, which might actually of been the perfect preparation for a game where they will need to suffer at times.
I however do expect Arsenal to come through with the win but they shouldn’t underestimate Palace’s attacking pace.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Result: Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace
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