Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Carabao Cup Preview & Prediction | 23 Dec 2025

On December 23, 2025, Arsenal will play Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal at Emirates Stadium. Team news, injuries, form, head-to-head, key players, and score predictions are all included in the preview.

In an exciting London derby for a spot in the EFL Cup semifinals, Arsenal will host Crystal Palace at the Emirates as the holiday schedule picks up pace.

On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 8:00 PM GMT, Arsenal, who are presently leading the Premier League, will take on a Crystal Palace team that is struggling with injuries and a backlog of games.

The match kicks off at 8:00 PM GMT and will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports (Main Event/Football) and ITV1 (free-to-air), with streaming available on Sky Go and ITVX. In the US, fans can watch live on Paramount+.

The Gunners, who are now leading the Premier League standings after winning 1-0 at Everton thanks to a penalty kick by Viktor Gyökeres, will be optimistic about their chances of advancing against an Eagles team that just suffered a crushing 4-1 loss at Leeds.

Due to Palace's hectic schedule, which includes UEFA Conference League duty, this match was postponed from its intended date in order to protect player welfare. It is now a straight shootout for a semi-final position, where the champion might play Chelsea, as both teams have just finished league play on December 20.

In-depth match preview with latest team news, injuries, predicted lineups, head-to-head stats, key players to watch, and score prediction for this crucial clash.

Head-to-Head History

Arsenal has dominated their last eight meetings against Palace (7 wins, 1 draw). Recalling last season's EFL Cup quarterfinal, where Arsenal advanced, will enhance home confidence for the Gunners, who haven't lost to the Eagles since 2019.

Match Details:

NAME: Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
DATE: Tuesday, Dec 23, 2025
TIME: 8:00 PM GMT / UK time (3:00 PM ET, 1:30 AM IST (Sunday, December 24), 9:00 PM Nigeria, 11:00 PM Kenya, 10:00 PM South Africa).
VENUE: Emirates Stadium

When is Arsenal vs Crystal Palace?

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace is scheduled for an 8:00 PM UK kick-off on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

How to watch?

The Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Carabao Cup quarter-final will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, and free-to-air on ITV1, with streaming available via Sky Go, NOW or ITVX. In the United States, the match streams exclusively on Paramount+. Indian fans can watch live on FanCode, while viewers in Canada can tune in via DAZN.

"live"

Live Match

Team News

Match summary

Highlights

Live Match

GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (Guehi, 90+5')

GUEHI WITH A LATE EQUALISER!

Wharton delivers a free-kick from the left and Lerma rises to send a header back into the middle where Guehi arrives to slot ti home.

Arsenal have been done by a set piece!

We're surely going to penalties!

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace (Lacroix, 80' own goal)

Arsenal take the resulting corner from Jesus' miss, as Saka's cross finds Calafiori. His header is blocked and the ball falls to Timber, who also lets fly from close range. The ball then pinballs around the six yard box before bouncing off the foot of Lacroix, who inadvertently turns the ball into his own net. It's cruel on the visitors, but Arsenal finally take the lead.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Team News

Arsenal Team News

The Gunners returned to the Premier League summit with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Everton on December 20, courtesy of Viktor Gyökeres' penalty. However, defensive injuries remain a major headache, forcing limited rotation in the cup tie.

Confirmed Absentees/Injuries:

Ben White — Hamstring injury (out until mid-January at earliest; suffered against Wolves).

Gabriel Magalhães — Muscle/knee issue (targeting late December/early January return).

Cristhian Mosquera — Limped off earlier in December (long-term absentee).

Kai Havertz — Knee injury with setback (expected back early/mid-January).

Max Dowman — Youngster sidelined with a serious injury.

Arteta is likely to rotate heavily in attack and midfield to manage fatigue, with cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga set to start. Key players like Gyökeres and Bukayo Saka may be rested or limited, while returns for players like Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli provide options up front.

Crystal Palace Team News

The Eagles are in crisis mode after a damaging 4-1 defeat at Leeds on December 20, compounded by fixture congestion from their UEFA Conference League commitments. Oliver Glasner has described the injury list as "mounting," handing Arsenal a significant boost.

Confirmed Absentees/Injuries:

Daniel Muñoz — Knee surgery (out 4-6 weeks).

Chadi Riad — Cruciate ligament tear (long-term, early January at best).

Cheick Doucouré — Knee injury (yet to play this season, mid-January target).

Jean-Philippe Mateta — Knock/injury (doubtful, minutes managed; major blow if absent).

Ismaïla Sarr — Ankle injury / possible international duty (doubtful).

Daichi Kamada — Sidelined (confirmed out).

Others: Rio Cardines, Caleb Kporha unavailable; potential youth inclusions like Joel Drakes-Thomas, Kaden Rodney.

Glasner may be forced into a youthful or makeshift lineup, similar to their recent European tie against KuPS. Fatigue from the quick turnaround is a concern, with key attackers like Mateta potentially rested or unavailable.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Match Summary

Highlights - Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

Match Preview

INSIDE TRAINING

Press Conference

Predicted starting lineup

Arsenal possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Eze; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli.

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Henderson; Chalobah, Guéhi, Lacroix; Mitchell, Hughes, Lerma, Clyne; Devenny, Nketiah, Pino