In a delayed London derby that could propel one side to the Carabao Cup semi-finals, Arsenal vs Crystal Palace headlines the final quarter-final tie on December 23, 2025, at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal will want to balance squad rotation with the need to advance in the cup, while Palace arrives as a physical, well-organized side that can punish mistakes on the break. Expect rotation from both managers, but a competitive, tactical game nonetheless.
Arsenal, pushing for a first domestic cup since 2020, progressed with wins over Port Vale and Brighton, but Mikel Arteta’s squad navigates injuries to key attackers like Gabriel Jesus (hamstring) and Viktor Gyökeres (strain).
Crystal Palace, Europa Conference League participants, stunned Liverpool 3-0 in round four but face fatigue and absences, including Ismaila Sarr (AFCON duty) and Daniel Muñoz (knee surgery).
Arsenal, unbeaten in their last eight encounters with Palace, face an Eagles side chasing their first semi-final since 2012. Rescheduled due to Palace’s European commitments, this clash promises plenty of tactical intrigue and a touch of cup magic.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace – Date, Time, Predictions, and More
This Carabao Cup quarter-final pits Arsenal’s possession dominance against Palace’s counter-threat in a London derby with semi-final spots at stake.
| Match | Arsenal vs Crystal Palace — Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, December 23, 2025 |
| Kick-off (UK) | 7:45 PM GMT (2:45 PM ET / 11:45 AM PT) |
| Venue | Emirates Stadium, London |
| Competition | Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) — Quarter-Final |
Team News and Analysis
Arsenal
Arteta is likely to rotate the squad for the cup, tapping into the team’s depth while maintaining enough quality to advance. Arsenal’s official match preview for this period highlighted multiple changes and a reshuffled League Cup XI. Fans can expect a blend of fringe players and regular first-teamers.
Crystal Palace
Palace usually lines up with a physically strong, defensively solid XI in cup matches. While recent reports hint at fatigue from a busy schedule, they’ve still put out competitive sides in these games and will aim to stay compact while catching Arsenal on the break. (Club updates include potential lineups and rotation options.)
Head-to-Head Record
Arsenal have the better recent record in Premier League and cup meetings, but Palace have produced stubborn performances and can be dangerous on set pieces and counters. Recent domestic meetings have been competitive; use H2H as context rather than prophecy.
Arsenal have dominated their last eight meetings, winning seven times, including a 3-2 victory in the 2024 Carabao Cup quarter-final. Averaging 3.0 goals per game, they’ve remained unbeaten since 2021.
| Date | Competition | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26, 2025 | Premier League | Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace | 1-0 |
| Dec 18, 2024 | Carabao Cup | Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace | 3-2 |
| Other recent | Various | Arsenal dominant | Various |
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Predicted XI Lineups
- Arsenal (4-3-3): Kepa; Nichols, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Norgaard, Merino; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli
- Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Benitez; Richards, Guehi, Canvot; Clyne, Lerma, Wharton, Sosa; Pino, Devenny; Uche
From the Arteta and Glasner briefings: Arsenal will have Ødegaard in the center and Saka on the right, while Palace lines up with Eze in attacking midfield and Mateta leading the line. On the bench, Nwaneri features for Arsenal and Hughes for Palace.
Key Players to Watch
- Arsenal
- Bukayo Saka: Creative and direct, Saka can decide cup ties with individual moments and is often used even when the side rotates.
- Martin Ødegaard / Declan Rice: The team’s control and chance creation often run through these players; their involvement matters even when rotated.
- Crystal Palace
- Adam Wharton (Midfielder): A dynamic young midfielder praised for his control and passing.
- Marc Guéhi (Defender): Club captain, solid centre-back, and England international, providing leadership at the back.
Match Prediction
Arsenal should progress, but Palace’s discipline and countering ability make this a likely close contest. If Arsenal over-rotate, Palace could force extra time. (Prediction based on form, squad depth and home advantage.)
- Predicted score: Arsenal 3-1 Crystal Palace. Arsenal semi-final bound.
Where to Watch Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Stream Arsenal vs Crystal Palace live with Carabao Cup options:
- USA: Paramount+; FuboTV. Starts 2:45 PM ET.
- Canada: DAZN Canada. 2:45 PM ET.
- Australia: beIN Sports. Begins 1:45 AM AEDT (Dec 24).
- Europe: Sky Sports; DAZN (Germany/Italy).