Arsenal welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates for their Carabao Cup quarter-final, with the winner set to take on Chelsea in the semi-final.

Arsenal will want to go a step closer to the promised land in the EFL Cup this year following their exit at the semi-final stage last season to eventual winners Newcastle United, although the task will be complicated, as they face Crystal Palace. The Gunners are well-equipped at this time compared to last season, when injuries were beginning to take a toll on Mikel Arteta’s side.

Much has been debated about this upcoming quarter-final clash with Crystal Palace, as Arteta had complained about the proximity of the games, as his team will end up playing three times in a space of seven days. The first of those three games resulted in a win against Everton at the weekend, with a Viktor Gyokeres penalty in the first half proving enough to keep the Gunners at the top of the Premier League standings.

For Arteta, it is imperative his team plays every competition with the intention to win it, and that extends to the Carabao Cup. The Gunners have not won the competition since the 1992/93 addition, and while they come close on multiple occasions, this season might feel like the ideal time to get this in their bag.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace were uncharacteristically bad at the weekend, and Oliver Glasner cannot even complain about the congested fixture list. In the Conference League last week, the Austrian tactician made several changes to his lineup to keep most of his important players fit for the upcoming run-in, but the Eagles were miserable against Leeds United at the weekend.

Leeds United ran riot against Crystal Palace, as Daniel Farke’s side recorded a 4-1 victory over the Eagles. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the hero for the Elland Road outfit, but that does not excuse Glasner’s men for the display they put in.

Glasner will want to see his side bounce back and not continue with a losing run, although the trip to the Emirates is always a tricky affair. Crystal Palace have already lost to Arsenal earlier this season in the Premier League, as Glasner will hope there is a different outcome this time out.

Team News & Tactics

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta will have ideally wanted to heavily rotate his pack for the game against Crystal Palace, particularly as this is a cup competition. However, the defensive injuries he has at the moment in his squad will not allow him to make too many changes at the back.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is certain to replace David Raya in goal, while Christian Norgaard might be an option for Arteta to consider at the heart of the defence. The Danish midfielder did play a similar role in a recent Champions League clash, and Riccardo Calafiori is certain to start alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly in the backline.

Jurrien Timber might have to keep guard at right-back. Alternatively, Arteta could use Norgaard in a midfield role, while rotating his pack at the back although that might see a central defensive partnership of William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori.

Mikel Merino could come into the midfield, as key men Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi could get a breather ahead of the weekend. Arteta might also look to change his attacking setup, as Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Everechi Eze and Noni Madueke are pencilled in to start this one for Arsenal against Crystal Palace.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino; Madueke, Eze, Martinelli; Jesus 

Crystal Palace

Oliver Glasner might also take this opportunity to somewhat rotate his pack without making too many alterations. The Crystal Palace boss is cautious of key striker Jean-Philippe Mateta’s knee issues, and may not start the Frenchman in the EFL Cup clash with Arsenal.

Meaning, someone like Christantus Uche might be in for a start ahead of the pack. There could be a start for Jefferson Lerma alongside Adam Wharton in the central midfield, while Borna Sosa and Nathaniel Clyne will keep hold of the wing-back spots.

Jaydee Canvot might be an option at the back, and Maxence Lacroix might be the one sitting on the bench, while Chris Richards and Marc Guehi are set to retain their spots. Similarly, Walter Benitez might come in for Dean Henderson in goal. Yeremy Pino could keep his place in the attacking third, while Justin Devenny will replace Eddie Nketiah in the final third.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Benitez; Richards, Guehi, Canvot; Clyne, Lerma, Wharton, Sosa; Pino, Devenny; Uche

Key Stats

• Arsenal have won seven of their last eight matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
• Arsenal have not won the Carabao Cup since the 1992/93 edition.
• Crystal Palace are winless in their last three games across all competitions.
• Crystal Palace have conceded nine goals in their last three games across all competitions.

Player to Watch

Gabriel Jesus

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The Brazilian international has only returned from a long-term problem and has made a handful of substitute appearances. However, the game on Tuesday could mark his first start for the team, and this could be a good test for Jesus, given the issues Arsenal have in the centre-forward area.

For Arteta, the idea with Jesus is to get him to his optimal sharpness, and games like these would help. A goal against Crystal Palace, against whom Jesus has five goals in his last two meetings, will be crucial, as the manager would want a selection headache in the coming weeks to use the right striker in front of the goal.

Prediction

Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace are not in their best form, and Oliver Glasner will certainly want to avoid going a fourth game without a win across all competitions. However, the test at the Emirates might be a big thing for Crystal Palace, as they have not had a good experience against Arsenal.

Arsenal, despite their lack of goals of late, remain one of the formidable sides in England and in Europe, and they may showcase their dominance in this one. The Emirates has not seen the team lose a single game this season, and Mikel Arteta will expect that to continue, as the Gunners are expected to progress to the semidinals to set a date with Chelsea.