Arsenal host Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium with kick-off at 8pm GMT on Tuesday, 23 December 2025, a London derby that pits two clubs with very different cup histories against one another.  

Palace arrive under the guidance of Oliver Glasner, fresh from winning the FA Cup this year and showing real belief in their progress. Glasner has stressed that this fixture is a chance to build on an already strong season and continue Palace’s momentum, even with a congested schedule and recent Premier League disappointment to bounce back from.  

Arsenal, meanwhile, are juggling a full fixture list over the festive period while sitting top of the Premier League and pushing on in Europe. Manager Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate again in this competition, blending experienced first-team players like Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Jesus with a few younger or fringe options while protecting key legs for league action.  

In head-to-head terms, Arsenal have dominated recent meetings with Palace, remaining unbeaten in their last eight fixtures across competitions, including a 3-2 Cup win last season, but history doesn’t win you games on the night. Palace’s physical organisation and counter-attack ability will test the Gunners’ defensive balance and depth.  

• Rotation vs quality balance

Arsenal will want to keep energy fresh across competitions, making meaningful use of their squad depth without diluting quality. How Arteta mixes youth and experience could shape the story of this tie.  

• Eze against his former club

Eberechi Eze may start and that subplot adds personal spice, players often pitch their best performances against past teams, and he’s one Palace fans still remember fondly.  

• Palace’s resilience

Despite a heavy league defeat recently, Palace’s cup form shows they aren’t afraid of big nights. Their readiness to compete in four competitions gives them a psychological edge in knockouts.  

A place in the semi-finals, and a two-legged tie against Chelsea or another opponent is nearly in sight. That carrot could influence both sides’ approach, especially at this busy time of year.  

This Carabao Cup tie is about domestic silverware and rotation management, but also about momentum, how both sides handle cup pressure in the middle of a championship challenge and important league run.