Arsenal host Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup quarterfinals on December 18 with four all-Premier League clashes on the schedule in the final eight of the competition.
Mikel Arteta’s side were held to a 0-0 home draw by Everton at the weekend, as they lost yet more ground in the EPL title race, with Palace winning 3-1 away at Brighton & Hove Albion.
A cup run could be vital for Arteta to ease some of the growing pressure on his attempt to win a first Premier League title, but Palace’s form has picked up in recent weeks.
Arsenal reached the quarter and semifinals in Arteta’s first two seasons in charge but they were knocked in the early rounds in 2022 and 2023.
Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace lineups, starting 11, team news
Arteta has rotated his team for the previous rounds of this competition and he is expected to revert to a similar line up which secured routine wins over Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End.
Teenage star Ethan Nwaneri is expected to be one of those changes, after scoring three EFL Cup goals so far in 2024/25, but defensive duo Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain as long-term absentees.
Declan Rice will not be risked, due to a minor injury, with Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko still some time away from a return.
Arsenal projected starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Setford (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly — Merino, Jorginho, Nwaneri — Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli.
Injured: Zinchenko (undisclosed), Calafiori (knee), White (knee), Tomiyasu (knee), Rice (undisclosed).Suspended: None
Palace will also rotate their options, with Oliver Glasner prioritising the Premier League, but he will mix experience with young talents at the Emirates.
Right back pair Joel Ward and Daniel Munoz are missing through injury and suspension respectively, meaning Nathaniel Clyne should start.
Matheus Franca, Rob Holding and Chadi Riad are all still out and Adam Wharton will not be risked as he builds back to full fitness.
Crystal Palace projected starting XI (4-4-1-1, right to left): Turner (GK) — Clyne, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell — Deveenny, Hughes, Kamada, Schlupp — Eze — Mateta.
Injured: Franca (groin), Ward (calf), Riad (undisclosed), Holding (undisclosed), Wharton (doubtful).Suspended: Munoz.
Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this EFL Cup match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
