Crystal Palace have won only two of their last 25 visits to Arsenal, their last two outings at the Emirates seeing them smashed 4-1 and 5-0; the last time these two met in the League Cup was at the semi-final stage in 1993, with the Gunners prevailing en route to their most-recent triumph in that competition.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Preview
Can Arsenal stay on course to end their five-year trophy draught by capturing this trophy for the first time in 32 years? To get this far, the Gunners have smashed both Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End, Ethan Nwaneri on target in both rounds, leaving them one win away from only a third semi-final appearance since 2011. This tie comes just as Mikel Arteta's team are fading away from the Premier League title race, held to a drab goalless draw by Everton on Saturday, rarely looking like scoring, meaning they remain six points adrift Liverpool, having played a game more. On Saturday, Arsenal and Palace will meet again, clashing at Selhurst in the league, but the Gunners can ill-afford another disappointing result at home here, so will they reach the EFL Cup's last four?
Meantime, 6,000 Crystal Palace supporters will make the 12 mile journey north of the river buoyant, after their side dismantled fierce rivals Brighton on Sunday. Trevoh Chalobah broke the deadlock and Ismaïla Sarr struck twice in Sussex, sparking wild scenes of celebration in the away end, on a famous afternoon for Palace by the South Coast. Oliver Glasner's side are therefore now unbeaten in five, losing just one of their last eight in the Premier League, climbing out of the bottom three, sat four points clear of danger, during this period. In the Carabao Cup meanwhile, the Eagles smashed Norwich 4-0 in August, before back-to-back 2-1 away wins at Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa. Thus, victory here would see them reach the semi-finals for only the fifth time, dreaming of a first-ever final appearance, previously ousted in the last four by Arsenal in '93, Liverpool in '95 and '01 and, most-recently, Cardiff in 2012. So, can Palace add to the Gunners' pain in North London?
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 55.
- Arsenal Wins: 33. Draws: 16. Crystal Palace Wins: 6.
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Arteta is without Benjamin White, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko, meaning the Gunners are very short of defenders right now, so will Myles Lewis-Skelly start a third successive match at left-back? Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney could feature for Arsenal for the first time since the 2023 Community Shield, having been an unused substitute for the last six matches. In goal, with Neto cup-tied, he's yet to make his debut, teenagers Jack Porter and Tommy Setford have started in goal in previous rounds, but surely David Raya will be donning the gloves this time. Ethan Nwaneri, who's scored in round three and four, will come into midfield, while Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus have contributed very little this season, so can either change that?
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho, Merino, Nwaneri; Sterling, Jesus, Trossard.
Arsenal Player to Watch vs Crystal Palace
As mentioned, Ethan Nwaneri bagged a brace against Bolton, before lashing home an absolute rocket at Preston in October, and the 17 year old is who the Arsenal faithful will be excited to see.
Crystal Palace Team News
Oliver Glasner picked his strongest outfield team at Villa Park in the previous round, so there's no reason to suggest he won't do the same here too. Former Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner's sole appearance for Palace to date came in that round four tie, likely to be donning the gloves again. The American aside, Glasner is expected to make minimal changes to his team; Chadi Riad, Adam Wharton and Matheus França remain sidelined.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Arsenal: (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Chalobah, Guéhi, Lacroix; Muñoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze, Nketiah.
Crystal Palace Player to Watch vs Arsenal
Eddie Nketiah will face Arsenal for the first time since leaving for £30 million in the summer. His sole goal for Palace so far came at QPR in round three, but the Carabao Cup is his competition, netting 12 in 16 appearances in this competition, including 15 seconds into his senior debut at the Emirates against Norwich back in 2017.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Prediction
We're backing Arsenal for a narrow victory in this one. It certainly won't be easy, with Palace likely to pick a very strong side, but we're forecasting the Gunners will, just, make home advantage count: Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace FAQs - Carabao Cup
How to watch Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Carabao Cup game on TV channel?
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Carabao Cup game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Carabao Cup game on live streaming?
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Carabao Cup game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: SkyGo & NOW TV
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Arsenal vs Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup?
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace takes place on Wednesday 18 December 2024, with kick off at 19:30 (GMT), 14:30 (EDT) & 11:30 (PST).