Arsenal beat Crystal Palace in a thrilling, high-quality penalty shootout to seal their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The match ended 1-1 in normal time after Palace captain Marc Guehi cancelled out teammate Maxence Lacroix’s own goal with a stoppage-time equaliser.
But Kepa Arrizabalaga saved Lacroix’s penalty on an unlucky night for the defender to set up a two-legged club against his former club Chelsea.
Arsenal peppered Palace’s goal throughout but keeper Walter Benitez produced a superb performance to deny Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus multiple times, before an 80th minute set-piece broke the deadlock as Lacroix nudged it home.
Guehi equalised to send the tie to penalties but his heroics were not enough as Palace came unstuck in the shootout.
Follow all the action from the Emirates with The Independent’s live blog below:
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace live
- Arsenal host to Crystal Palace as Carabao Cup quarter-finals finally wrap up | Kick-off 8pm GMT, live on Sky Sports
- Maxence Lacroix misses crucial eighth penalty to send Arsenal through to semi-finals
- '90+5 GOAL! Marc Guehi pokes home stoppage-time equaliser [ARS 1-1 CRY]
- '80 GOAL! Maxence Lacroix pokes in own goal as Arsenal break deadlock [ARS 1-0 CRY]
- Arsenal to face Chelsea in two-legged semi-final
Arsenal outlast Crystal Palace in marathon shoot-out to reach Carabao Cup semi-finals
23:20 , Flo CliffordArsenal secured their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup after a marathon 8-7 sudden-death penalty shoot-out victory over Crystal Palace.
Arsenal dominated the first half – with second-choice Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez delivering a string of fine saves – but the last-eight tie at the Emirates Stadium hung in the balance after the interval following an improved performance by the visitors.
The home side made the breakthrough when Palace were unable to clear Bukayo Saka’s corner before Maxence Lacroix put the ball through his own net with 10 minutes left.
However, Palace sensationally struck back in the fifth of nine added minutes after Marc Guehi swept home Jefferson Lerma’s brilliant header from Adam Wharton’s set-piece.
With both teams clinically scoring their first seven spot-kicks, William Saliba put his side one clear before Lacroix saw his effort saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Arsenal outlast Crystal Palace in marathon shoot-out to reach Carabao Cup semi-finals
'Second half was really good' - Oliver Glasner
23:07 , Flo CliffordOliver Glasner is asked whether there were positives to take from that encounter. “Second half, yes [proud]. Really great goalkeeper, who kept us in the game but in the second half I saw a different team.
“Coming back here was really great. I don't know if I've seen a shoot-out where all the penalties are taken so well.
“We have to build on the second half performance, everyone is telling us we have fatigue but if you can switch and play like we did in the second half at the Emirates, it's very positive.
“We were braver and much more aggressive. We played more in their half. It was much better than the first half, we were too passive. It is not easy to play here against Arsenal.
“What we have shown in the second half was really good.”
He says Chris Richards required stitches on a cut but the injury otherwise doesn’t look “too bad”.
Martinelli 'could not continue' - Mikel Arteta
23:00 , Flo CliffordMikel Arteta tells Sky Sports: “Very happy to be in the semi-final. We played against a team that is very hard to generate chances. We generated a lot and should have had more goals.
“When you don't close the game, it can always happen. The players were so composed wit the penalties.
“In the second half they were more aggressive but overall, it's another victory and I'm very happy.”
On Gabriel Martinelli coming off, he says: “He could not carry on so what we had to make the sub.”
'You have to keep your cool' - Kepa Arrizabalaga
22:52 , Flo CliffordMan of the hour Kepa Arrizabalaga tells Sky Sports: “I think we play so well and then they changed, they adapt a little bit. It's something we have to improve, we have been conceding in the last minute.”
On his penalty save, he says: “You have to keep your cool, be focused and don't lose your focus."
'Kepa saved us' - William Saliba
22:45 , Flo CliffordA cheerful William Saliba tells Sky Sports: “It was a tough game against a top team. We did well. Apart from my mistake, we played well.
“We are so happy to be in the semi-final. At the end, Kepa saved us. We want to win both games and go into the final.”
Arsenal win 8-7 on penalties
22:40 , Flo CliffordThe Emirates is absolutely bouncing after that, pure joy after the unbearable tension of that shootout.
Arsenal to face Chelsea
22:35 , Flo CliffordThe the first leg of that semi-final will be on Wednesday 14 January at 8pm.
The return leg will be played on Tuesday 3 February 3 at 8pm.
Arsenal win 8-7 on penalties
22:30 , Flo CliffordPoor Maxence Lacroix, unlucky first with an own goal that he only just got a touch too, then unlucky to have the vital penalty saved.
Arsenal into Carabao Cup semi-finals
22:27 , Flo CliffordSo after 15 superb penalties, Arsenal are through after Kepa saved from Lacroix.
They’ll face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Arsenal 8-7 Crystal Palace - ARSENAL INTO SEMI-FINALS
22:20 , Flo CliffordMaxence Lacroix, who was responsible for the own goal, is next to step up.
Pressure? Oh my word, it’s saved! Kepa gets down low to his right, and Arsenal are through to the semi-final!
Arsenal 8-7 Crystal Palace
22:19 , Flo CliffordSaliba is next to emerge from the Arsenal line.
He stutters in the run-up, but slots it into the left corner.
Arsenal 7-7 Crystal Palace
22:19 , Flo CliffordUche floats it down the middle and puts his finger to his lips.
We might be here all night at this rate.
Arsenal 7-6 Crystal Palace
22:18 , Flo CliffordTimber riffles the roof of the net.
Pressure on Palace once more.
Arsenal 6-6 Crystal Palace
22:17 , Flo Clifford21-year-old Adam Wharton is next.
Cool as you like. 12 brilliant penalties.
Arsenal 6-5 Crystal Palace
22:16 , Flo CliffordInto sudden death.
Calafiori steps up... straight down the middle!
Arsenal 5-5 Crystal Palace
22:16 , Flo CliffordLerma has to score or Palace will be out...
And he does!
Arsenal 5-4 Crystal Palace
22:15 , Flo CliffordMerino goes for the stuttering run-up, waits for Benitez to commit, and sends it down the middle.
Arsenal 4-4 Crystal Palace
22:14 , Flo CliffordSosa, who missed a penalty in the Community Shield against Liverpool, makes no mistake here and fires into the bottom left corner!
Arsenal 4-3 Crystal Palace
22:13 , Flo CliffordInto the roof of the net by Trossard too. All great penalties so far.
Arsenal 3-3 Crystal Palace
22:12 , Flo CliffordWharton smashes it into the roof of the net!
Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace
22:12 , Flo CliffordSaka slots it coolly into the bottom right corner.
Arsenal 1-1 (2-2) Crystal Palace
22:11 , Flo Clifford22-year-old Devenny is made to wait by Kepa, playing mind games by refusing to get back on his line.
Straight down the centre, classy from Devenny, 2-2.
Arsenal 1-1 (2-1) Crystal Palace
22:10 , Flo CliffordRice blasts down the middle, with Benitez sent down to his right.
Arsenal 1-1 (1-1) Crystal Palace
22:09 , Flo CliffordMateta rolls it in past Kepa! 1-1!
PENALTIES: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
22:09 , Flo CliffordArsenal win the toss and will take penalties in front of the North End.
Odegaard sends Benitez the wrong way!
Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
22:04 , Flo CliffordNearly a literal last-gasp winner by Rice, but instead we go to penalties!
FULL-TIME: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
22:03 , Flo Clifford‘90+11: Over 100 minutes played. Arsenal win a free-kick just inside Palace’s half. It’s played to Saka down the right...
Rice is in there but Benitez is the hero once more, sitting down with the ball clutched to his chest!
Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
22:01 , Flo Clifford‘90+9: The industrious Lerma heads it clear.
Saka gets caught on the edge of the area by Wharton and goes down, but nothing given. It’s outside the box anyway.
It’s worked to Mateta but Kepa hoofs it clear.
Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
22:00 , Flo Clifford‘90+9: Arsenal press again, Rice slips it through to Lewis-Skelly but his shot on the turn is blocked by Lerma.
Rice steps up for the corner...
Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
21:59 , Flo Clifford‘90+8: Joy for Palace but fury for this man. To add insult to injury, Calafiori has stepped off the pitch to have what looks like an eye problem seen to.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
21:56 , Flo Clifford‘90+5: Palace have an injury time equaliser!!!
The away end is bouncing! Glasner punches the air in delight!
Arsenal fail to deal with a free-kick deep on the left, Lerma heads it down to the feet of Guehi in the centre, and Guehi is the man to poke it home!
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
21:55 , Flo Clifford‘90+4: Up the other end, Lerma sends in another very long throw, but Merino heads away, and Kepa collects the recycled ball, gesturing for calm.
SAVE! Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
21:53 , Flo Clifford‘90+2: Timber denied by Benitez! Guehi gets in a tangle and Timber flicks the ball out from his legs as the Palace man goes to ground, and Benitez is forced into a sharp save.
The resulting corner is headed away, but only just.
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
21:51 , Flo Clifford‘90: Palace look devoid of energy now - but there will be NINE minutes added on to rescue something from it!
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
21:50 , Flo Clifford‘89: Kepa gets a booking for that bit of timewasting!
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
21:49 , Flo Clifford‘88: ‘Ole’s from the crowd as Arsenal look to see this one out. Kepa takes his sweet time with a goal kick.
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
21:47 , Flo Clifford‘86: Right before that Hughes was unlucky not to score for Palace, Kepa just about keeping it out after another bunfight in the box.
Changes for both sides: Rice on for Jesus, Uche on for Pino.
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
21:43 , Flo Clifford‘82: That’ll go down as a Lacroix own goal, just a nudge as he attempted to clear but it was enough to put off his keeper. Heartbreak for Palace after a much better second half.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
21:42 , Flo Clifford‘80: Arsenal finally get the breakthrough!
Benitez is beaten at least. It’s from a Saka corner, with Saliba bundling it home after a right mess in the penalty area. It might have taken a deflection on the way in.
SAVE! Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:40 , Flo Clifford‘79: Fingertip save by Benitez!! Another top save, Arsenal counter at pace, the ball is worked to Jesus after a great run by Trossard, but his attempt is palmed over the bar.
SAVE! Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:39 , Flo Clifford‘78: Mateta runs onto a lovely Pino through-ball into the box but Saliba makes the crucial block.
CHANCE! Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:38 , Flo Clifford‘76: Jesus takes advantage of a slow restart and steams away on goal, but blazes over.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:36 , Flo Clifford‘75: An unpleasant watch as Richards is stretchered off the pitch. Difficult to see what happened there, it appeared to be as he challenged Jesus in the box, but there was no obvious contact to have caused it.
Will Hughes is on.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:33 , Flo Clifford‘72: Lengthy break in play now and it doesn’t look good for Palace’s Richards, who appears to have an open wound on his foot. The stretcher has come on and he’s being attended to.
WIDE! Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:32 , Flo Clifford‘70: Odegaard’s delivery is poor and Mitchell heads it away with ease.
He comes back with a better cross though which Jesus heads just wide, flashing by the left post!
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:28 , Flo Clifford‘67: Those subs are made: Eze and Madueke come off for Odegaard and Saka.
Odegaard is straight into action, taking a free-kick won right before those substitutions.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:26 , Flo Clifford‘65: Totally against expectation after that first half, Palace are looking rather sprightly now. Arteta isn’t liking what he’s seeing and gesticulates to his substitutes. It looks like Saka will come on.
SAVE! Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:23 , Flo Clifford‘61: Best chance of the half so far! Lerma sends in a long throw, it bounces invitingly by the near post, and a backpedalling Kepa just about manages to control it, nearly under the crossbar!
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:20 , Flo Clifford‘59: Martinelli has come off now, for Trossard.
CHANCE! Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:20 , Flo Clifford‘58: Madueke curls a cross towards Jesus but Clyne makes the block; Arsenal shout for handball, but it’d be harsh.
Now Wharton drives onto the edge of the area and flashes wide!
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:17 , Flo Clifford‘56: Lacroix treads on Jesus’ foot, getting none of the ball, and the forward hits the deck. No free-kick, though.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:14 , Flo Clifford‘53: Calafiori tracks back to follow Mateta’s run and puts it out for a corner, but Pino thumps it into the side netting, a terrible waste of a rare Palace chance.
The visitors are certainly looking more up for this, though.
CHANCE! Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:10 , Flo Clifford‘49: Better from Palace, and Clyne has already made a difference with a cross which finds Lerma in the box - but he heads wide!
SECOND HALF: Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
21:06 , Flo Clifford‘45: Two subs for Crystal Palace at the break: Canvot, who had a torrid time against Martinelli, has been replaced by Clyne, while Devenny comes on for Nketiah.
Martinelli himself is back out, in good news for the hosts.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:55 , Flo CliffordA reminder that if it remains goalless at full-time - which feels unlikely, but you never know - we’ll go straight to penalties for a place in the Carabao Cup last four.
HALF-TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:51 , Flo CliffordAmazingly, it’s still 0-0 at the break, after one of the most one-sided halves of football I’ve ever seen that hasn’t resulted in a goal.
The Gunners have threatened constantly, mostly through Martinelli and Madueke, but Benitez has been on fire between the sticks so far.
And Arsenal have something else to worry about now after Martinelli limped off in some pain.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:50 , Flo Clifford‘45+3: Martinelli limps off gingerly. Arsenal will see out the last few moments of this half with 10 men. Not sure we’ll be seeing the winger back on for the second half.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:48 , Flo Clifford‘45+2: Martinelli hits the deck after getting in tangle with Canvot, and the physios are on. Not good for Arsenal’s best player of this half.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:46 , Flo Clifford‘45: Palace have a rare set-piece, which is easily dealt with by Kepa, with probably his first touch of the match.
Arsenal break immediately but yet again Palace have enough bodies to deal with it, with Lewis-Skelly having a shot blocked.
Two minutes added on to this half.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:43 , Flo Clifford‘43: Martinelli with another lovely cross from the left; this man has Canvot in his pocket.
Timber thumps his header well over the bar.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:42 , Flo Clifford‘42: Benitez comes out to acrobatically clear another cross. It has quite literally all been in the Palace box so far. Arteta will be miffed if it’s still goalless at the break.
SAVE! Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:41 , Flo Clifford‘40: Martinelli sends another peach of a ball in but it’s headed away... he’s back moments later with a disguised pass to Lewis-Skelly, who cuts it back at the back line.
Madueke has time and space to shoot on the right flank, thumping away - but Benitez gets his arm to it!
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:38 , Flo Clifford‘38: It’s sent deep to the far post by Eze and Palace clear before breaking... but then concede a free-kick as Lerma barges Lewis-Skelly over.
Eze takes it short, it’s worked forward to Jesus in the box, and Arsenal complain about Mateta interfering, heading it behind. It’s given as a goal kick rather than a corner, which Jesus is most displeased about.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:36 , Flo Clifford‘35: Merino picks out Eze in the box, who feeds Jesus, but his first touch is heavy and Lacroix manages to dig it out from under his feet, from which Palace clear.
Norgaard curls in the corner but Guehi heads it away for another... again it’s cleared but not far enough, Timber lofting in a speculative cross, which Richards heads behind for another Gunners corner.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:34 , Flo Clifford‘33: Palace win a free-kick in the middle of the park... Pino catapults it away from any of his teammates, to sarcastic cheers.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:31 , Flo Clifford‘30: Bit of a stoppage now as Lerma gets some treatment after being whacked in the face, a welcome reprieve for Palace. (The stoppage, not Lerma taking a blow.)
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:29 , Flo Clifford‘28: Martinelli lofts another beautifully-weighted cross towards the far post, with Madueke rushing on, but it bounces off the woodwork and Palace hack it behind for an Arsenal corner.
It’s worked to Calafiori, who heads over.
SAVE! Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:25 , Flo Clifford‘25: Benitez is called into action again, this time saving at full stretch from Jesus! It was a great header towards the bottom corner but palmed away just in time.
It’s been all Arsenal so far, perhaps to be expected.
SAVE! Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:23 , Flo Clifford‘22: Big moment for the Palace defence! Madueke is marauding through the area, latching onto a sweet dink by Martinelli, but Benitez flings his arm out at point-blank range and Palace get back in time to hoof it clear.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:21 , Flo Clifford‘19: Boos ring out for a brief stoppage as Madueke catches Pino in the face with a stray elbow. Glasner seems to think that warrants a bigger punishment, although it looked innocuous, not helped by Pino being considerably more diminuitive than his man.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:15 , Flo Clifford‘15: Eze takes the resulting corner, Palace fail to clear their lines as Norgaard flicks it on and it pinballs around worryingly for the visitors - but eventually it falls to Martinelli, who gets his shot all wrong.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:14 , Flo Clifford‘13: Martinelli takes on Canvot and whips in a dangerous-looking cross but Lerma is in position at the near post to deal with it.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:08 , Flo Clifford‘8: Calafiori attempts to set up Martinelli but his pass is overhit and Benitez gathers.
Mitchell now counters for Palace, outsprinting Timber into acres of space, but blasts it over the bar and into the stands, to gleeful cheers from the home fans.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
20:03 , Flo Clifford‘3: Arsenal with all the possession so far. Martinelli slips Madueke through on goal but the former Chelsea man sends it straight into the arms of Benitez.
KICK OFF: Arsenal v Crystal Palace
20:01 , Flo CliffordHere we go!
Moments to go
19:59 , Flo CliffordThe teams are out and it’s nearly time for kick-off at the Emirates!
Team news reminder
19:53 , Flo CliffordArsenal XI: Kepa, Timber, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Eze, Martinelli, Madueke, Jesus
Crystal Palace XI: Benitez, Canvot, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Wharton, Lerma, Pino, Nketiah, Mateta
Christian Norgaard: Big opportunity to win a major trophy
19:50 , Flo CliffordChristian Norgaard tells Sky Sports: "It surely does [feel like a big opportunity to win a trophy]. Every competition is important for us, we've now reached the quarter-final stage, so it is getting closer to a potentialfinal, but we know we are up against a tough opponent.
“There will be time now to rest some players and rotate, but at least for me, this is a great opportunity to get some minutes in the legs and feel sharpness so you have that feeling you are ready to contribute.”
Oliver Glasner on fixture congestion: 'Lack of respect' for Conference League
19:45 , Flo CliffordCrystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner wasn’t impressed by the tight scheduling of fixtures his side have had to endure in recent weeks.
He said: "I think to fix a round when a Conference League is played just shows also the [lack of] respect for the Conference League because they would never fix a round when there is a Champions League round or a Europa League round. So I think that's maybe the problem for the game we have to play now, and why we have to play in three days again.
"But it shows that we are in four competitions and we want these games, we want this amount of games, and it's not to complain about it. We are never complaining about the amount of games."
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
19:42 , Flo Clifford
Marc Guehi: 'Nice to play right after a defeat'
19:40 , Flo CliffordMarc Guehi tells Sky Sports: “It is always nice to have a game right away [after a defeat], so yes, looking forward to it.
“It will be different [from the Leeds game] in terms of the way they play, but set pieces will stay the same, so make sure we are strong on those and hopefully get a good result today.”
Martin Odegaard's programme notes
19:35 , Flo CliffordArsenal captain Martin Odegaard had this to say in tonight’s programme notes: “It’s a bit unusual that the draw has already been made, and we know we will face Chelsea in the next round if we can win tonight, but that doesn’t make any difference to how we approach this game. Our focus is just on winning this one because we all know how good a team Crystal Palace are. They have given us plenty of good battles in recent times, and they are having a really good season again. So we will have to be at our best to win this one, completely ready, and we will do everything to get through.
“In this competition things can go really quickly, and if we can win this one tonight, then all of a sudden you feel close to the chance of a trophy. So that’s a big motivation for this one, we are one step away from a semi-final. Let’s make the most of the opportunity because we are here to win trophies.”
When are the Carabao Cup semi-finals?
19:25 , Flo CliffordSemi-final 1
Chelsea vs Arsenal OR Crystal Palace
Semi-final 2
Newcastle United vs Manchester City
Semi-final first-leg ties will be played in the week commencing 12 January, with the second-leg matches taking place in the week commencing 2 February.
The final will be held at Wembley on 22 March 2026.
Carabao Cup semi-final line-up
19:15 , Flo CliffordThe Carabao Cup semi-final draw set up a potential blockbuster tie between Chelsea and Arsenal, but only if the Gunners can overcome Crystal Palace tonight.
Chelsea were the first team to book their place in the last four, surviving a scare at Cardiff as Enzo Maresca’s substitutes powered the Blues to a 3-1 win.
The other semi-final match-up sees holders Newcastle face Manchester City, who respectively saw off Fulham and Brentford to book their place in the last four. Chelsea and Newcastle will be the home teams for the first legs before going away for the second legs.
Gabriel Jesus’s return hands Mikel Arteta selection dilemma after frontline rebuild
19:05 , Flo CliffordWith Gabriel Jesus set for his first start in nearly a year, Richard Jolly took a look at Arsenal’s options up front:
Gabriel Jesus’s return hands Mikel Arteta selection dilemma after frontline rebuild
Dominic Calvert-Lewin stars again as rejuvenated Leeds ease past Crystal Palace
19:00 , Flo CliffordCrystal Palace will be hoping for a much kinder scoreline tonight after their 4-1 defeat at the weekend:
Dominic Calvert-Lewin stars again as rejuvenated Leeds ease past Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace team news
18:54 , Flo CliffordOliver Glasner makes three changes from Palace’s 4-1 walloping by Leeds.
Keeper Dean Henderson drops to the bench, replaced by Walter Benitez comes in between the sticks while Jaydee Canvot replaces Nathaniel Clyne and Jefferson Lerma comes in for Will Hughes.
Arsenal team news
18:52 , Flo CliffordEight changes for Arsenal from their win over Everton on Saturday, with the big one being Gabriel Jesus, who is making his 100th appearance for the club, starting for the first time since January 12.
Kepa Arrizabalaga returns in goal, with Myles Lewis-Skelly coming in at left back.
The rest of the defence - Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori - are the only to keep their place from the weekend.
Mikel Merino takes the captain’s armband, with Eberechi Eze, Christian Norgaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke the others to come in. Viktor Gyokeres is on the bench.
Crystal Palace team news
18:49 , Flo CliffordCrystal Palace XI: Benitez, Canvot, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Wharton, Lerma, Pino, Nketiah, Mateta
Subs: Henderson, Uche, Clyne, Hughes, Esse, Sosa, Rodney, Devenny, Drakes-Thomas
The XI to face Arsenal 🤝 pic.twitter.com/jtxzcFOP3i
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 23, 2025
Arsenal team news - Jesus starts
18:46 , Flo CliffordArsenal XI: Kepa, Timber, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Eze, Martinelli, Madueke, Jesus
Subs: Raya, Salmon, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres
Team news incoming
18:43 , Flo CliffordWe’re expecting line-ups in the next few minutes... will Gabriel Jesus start for the hosts?
Viktor Gyokeres gets early Christmas present as Arsenal overcome depleted Everton
18:40 , Flo CliffordA happy Christmas and a happy anniversary for Mikel Arteta? In part, anyway. The Arsenal manager can testify from bitter experience that being the Christmas No 1 is no guarantee he will occupy top spot in May. But, six years to the day since his appointment, Arteta overcame a club he represented for six years.
Read more from Richard Jolly on Arsenal’s festive morale-booster against Everton:
Gyokeres gets early Christmas present as Arsenal overcome depleted Everton
Form guide
18:25 , Flo CliffordThe change in schedule has not exactly led to a positive impact on results for Palace, who have lost both league clashes with Man City and Leeds in the past nine days and were also held to an underwhelming draw with KuPS, which saw them miss out on a top-eight league-phase finish and therefore automatic qualification to the Conference League round of 16.
Arsenal, meanwhile, got their mojo back with an assured win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium at the weekend after two own goals spared them from embarrassment against rock-bottom Wolves.
Why is Arsenal vs Crystal Palace being played a week late?
18:10 , Flo CliffordEagles boss Oliver Glasner had slated the proposed fixture schedule and claimed it would be harmful to his players.
"It's dangerous, irresponsible to say that you should play Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday," fumed Glasner.
Even Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta concurred with that sentiment, saying there were "much better options" than that date.
And Palace were thus given something of a reprieve, with the quarter-final being moved to Tuesday 23 December instead.
It meant Palace faced the slightly more manageable prospect of four games in 10 days instead and will enjoy the luxury of a five-day gap after the Gunners game before taking on Tottenham on 28 December.
Why is Arsenal vs Crystal Palace being played a week late?
18:00 , Flo CliffordThe clash at the Emirates Stadium oddly takes place six days on from the competition’s semi-final draw being made, with all three of the other last-eight ties having been played out last week.
This was not the original plan, however. Arsenal’s visit of Palace was due to happen in sync with the rest of the quarter-final last Tuesday before a fixture pile-up led to the game being rescheduled.
Palace faced the mildly ludicrous prospect of playing four games in eight days in mid-December – hosting Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday 14 December before the Carabao Cup clash with the Gunners on Tuesday 16 December, a Conference League match against Finnish side KuPS two days after that and then a league game against Leeds to round off the hellish week on Sunday 21 December.
Predicted line-ups
17:52 , Flo CliffordArsenal XI: Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Eze, Merino; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli
Crystal Palace XI: Richards, Guehi, Canvot; Clyne, Lerma, Wharton, Sosa; Pino, Devenny; Uche
Early team news
17:46 , Flo CliffordGabriel Jesus could start while Eberechi Eze, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, and Myles Lewis-Skelly could also feature after not playing against Everton. But the Gunners remain without defenders Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White and Cristian Mosquera.
Palace remain without Daniel Munoz and Daichi Kamada while they be without Ismaila Sarr due to the Africa Cup of Nations for the foreseeable - and the Eagles making further changes to rest key players cannot be ruled out.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
17:40 , Flo CliffordWhen is Arsenal v Crystal Palace?
The Carabao Cup quarter-final will kick off at 8pm GMT on Tuesday 23 December at the Emirates.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, as well as free-to-air on ITV.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
17:35 , Flo CliffordArsenal face Crystal Palace in a rescheduled Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Emirates as Chelsea await the winners.
The Gunners and the Eagles saw their cup tie moved from last week due to Palace’s participation in the Europa Conference League, as Oliver Glasner’s side battle a fixture pile-up before Christmas.
His side were thrashed 4-1 by Leeds on Saturday night while Arsenal reclaimed top spot in the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Everton.
Both teams could make changes to their starting line-ups for the final match before Christmas - with Mikel Arteta already confirming that Gabriel Jesus could make his first start in almost a year.
Good afternoon
17:27 , Will CastleHello there and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the last remaining Carabao Cup quarter-final tie between Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
We’ll have all the build-up, team news and match action right here.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
