HP Terbaru 2023 – Arsenal and Palace contest the last Carabao Cup quarterfinal

---

By Graham Ruthven

---

Running out of steam?

On results alone, Arsenal have little to worry about right now. Mikel Arteta’s team have won each of their last three matches in all competitions with their only defeat since August coming away to Aston Villa, the Premier League’s most in-form side.

And yet there is a familiar sense of foreboding beginning to grow around the Emirates Stadium. While the wins are still coming, Arsenal’s recent performances have been less-than-impressive.

Ground out victories against Everton and Wolves have kept the Gunners moving forward, but an improvement will be required against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Oliver Glasner will similarly want to see an uptick in performance levels from his team with Palace currently on a winless run of three games. Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Leeds United was their heaviest defeat of the season so far.

On their day, the Eagles are capable of upsetting the strongest of opponents. However, those days have fewer and further between in recent weeks. Palace, however, have proven themselves as cup specialists under Glasner.

Key players

Viktor Gyökeres could be given another opportunity to lead the line after scoring the winner against Everton from the penalty spot on Saturday. The Swedish striker’s hold-up play and general finishing instincts could still do with some sharpening.

Only Leandro Trossard has contributed more goals and assists for Arsenal this season than Eberechi Eze who is in line to start against his former team on Tuesday. The England international will be a threat with his dribbling ability and eye for a goal from outside the box.

William Saliba could play due to the lack of defensive options available to Arteta right now while Kepa Arrizabalaga can expect to feature between the posts having started Arsenal’s two Carabao Cup matches to date this season.

Adam Wharton will be a key figure for Palace in the centre of the pitch on both sides of the ball. The midfielder has registered more assists than any of his teammates so far this season, also averaging 2.2 tackles per 90 minutes.

Marc Guéhi could be tested in central defence while Yeremy Pino will be a crucial out-ball for Crystal Palace in attacking transition. Their squad is being tested right now, but the Eagles still have quality throughout. 

Team news

Arteta will surely rotate his Arsenal squad for Tuesday’s quarter-final with the Gunners set to play five matches over the next three weeks. This could see the likes of Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly promoted to the starting lineup.

Injuries remain a problem for the North London outfit with Gabriel Magalhães, Kai Havertz, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman all sidelined. 

Crystal Palace will be without right Daniel Muñoz who is expected to miss the next two months through injury while Ismaïla Sarr is currently representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Daichi Kamada is another key figure set to miss Tuesday’s match at the Emirates Stadium while Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad remain out. Jean-Philippe Mateta is also a doubt.

Prediction

Fixture congestion plus the impact of injuries and absences on squad depth will all come in to question tonight, but we believe the hosts will have enough to win through, with London rivals Chelsea already lying in wait for them in the semifinals: Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace.

---

(Cover image from IMAGO)

---

You can follow every game from the Carabao Cup (aka EFL Cup) with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.