Carabao Cup 2025-2026: Arsenal-Crystal Palace, the likely lineups

Arsenal and Crystal Palace face each other Tuesday at 9 p.m. Italian time at Emirates Stadium for their last engagement before Christmas, a Carabao Cup quarterfinal scheduled a week later than the other challenges in the same round. The busy schedules of both clubs forced the postponement, which makes it possible to already know the’crossover in the semifinals: awaiting the winner is Chelsea, while the other semifinal will pit Newcastle and Manchester City against each other.

Mikel Arteta’s team has regained continuity after the defeat against Aston Villa, stringing together three consecutive victories that have consolidated the top of the Premier League. Despite the match’s importance, the Basque coach should rotate some elements, giving space to lesser-used players such as Kepa, Norgaard, Madueke and Gabriel Jesus. Absences in defense remain heavy, with Gabriel, Mosquera and Ben White unavailable, while Havertz and Dowman will be missing in the offensive department. Eberechi Eze, match-winner against Palace in the league, could feature again.

Oliver Glasner’s Palace comes to this challenge with a reduced squad and a calendar that has begun to present a bill. Heavy defeats against Manchester City and Leeds, combined with a disappointing European draw against KuPS, have highlighted how much the Eagles are struggling. Absences are numerous: Sarr has left for the African Cup of Nations, while Muñoz, Kamada, Riad, Doucouré, Kporha and Cardines are in the pits. Possible turnover also to manage energy, with Mateta likely to rest and Uche ready to start. Lerma, Devenny and Canvot are among the candidates to return to the starting eleven.

Probable lineups

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino; Madueke, Eze, Martinelli; Jesus. All. Arteta

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Benitez; Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Lerma, Wharton, Sosa; Devenny, Pino; Uche. All. Glasner.