Arsenal vs Crystal Palace takes center stage in the EFL Cup quarter-finals as the Gunners host the Eagles at the Emirates Stadium. Kick-off is set for 01:30 local time on December 23, 2025, with cold winter conditions expected in London at around 6°C, perfect for a fast-paced knockout encounter under the lights.
Arsenal come into this cup tie in strong form and will be aiming to secure a semi-final place in front of their home crowd, while Crystal Palace look to cause an upset despite recent defensive struggles. With both managers expected to rotate but still field competitive lineups, this London derby promises intensity and drama.
Match Overview – Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Arsenal vs Crystal Palace |
| Competition | EFL Cup |
| Stage | Quarter-finals |
| Date & Kick-Off | December 23, 2025 – 01:30 |
| Venue | Emirates Stadium |
| City | London, England |
| Capacity | 60,383 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Weather | 6°C – Cold |
Arsenal are expected to dominate possession and press high, while Crystal Palace may set up compactly and look to counter through pace and direct attacking runs.
Recent Form Guide – Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Arsenal – Last 5 Matches
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20/12 | Everton | 0–1 | Win | Premier League |
| 13/12 | Wolves | 2–1 | Win | Premier League |
| 10/12 | Club Brugge | 0–3 | Win | Friendly |
| 06/12 | Aston Villa | 2–1 | Loss | Premier League |
| 03/12 | Brentford | 2–0 | Win | Premier League |
Arsenal have won four of their last five matches, showing solid defensive organization and improved efficiency in attack, even with several key players sidelined.
Crystal Palace – Last 5 Matches
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20/12 | Leeds United | 4–1 | Loss | Premier League |
| 18/12 | KuPS | 2–2 | Draw | Friendly |
| 14/12 | Manchester City | 0–3 | Loss | Premier League |
| 11/12 | Shelbourne | 0–3 | Win | Friendly |
| 07/12 | Fulham | 1–2 | Win | Premier League |
Crystal Palace have been inconsistent, particularly against top opposition, conceding heavily in recent league defeats.
Head-to-Head – Arsenal vs Crystal Palace (Last 5 Meetings)
| Date | Competition | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26, 2025 | Premier League | Arsenal vs Crystal Palace | 1–0 |
| Apr 23, 2025 | Premier League | Arsenal vs Crystal Palace | 2–2 |
| Dec 21, 2024 | Premier League | Crystal Palace vs Arsenal | 1–5 |
| Dec 18, 2024 | League Cup | Arsenal vs Crystal Palace | 3–2 |
| Jan 20, 2024 | Premier League | Arsenal vs Crystal Palace | 5–0 |
Arsenal have dominated recent meetings, scoring freely and winning four of the last five encounters.
Top Scorers
- Arsenal: Viktor Gyökeres – 5 goals (14 matches)
- Crystal Palace: Jean-Philippe Mateta – 7 goals (17 matches)
Gyökeres’ physical presence and movement give Arsenal a focal point up front, while Mateta remains Palace’s main goal threat despite limited service.
Predicted Lineups – Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Arsenal (4-2-3-1) : Kepa Arrizabalaga – Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly – Declan Rice, Christian Nørgaard – Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli – Gabriel Jesus
Team News: Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, and Noni Madueke remain injured, while Gabriel Jesus is expected to lead the line in this cup tie.
Crystal Palace (3-4-3) : Walter Benítez – Chris Richards, Marc Guéhi, Maxence Lacroix – Nathaniel Clyne, Jefferson Lerma, Adam Wharton, Borna Sosa – Yéremy Pino, Christantus Uche, Eddie Nketiah
Final lineups will be confirmed approximately one hour before kick-off.
Unavailable Players
| Team | Missing Players | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel, Max Dowman, Kai Havertz | Injury |
| Crystal Palace | Ismaila Sarr | International duty |
| Daichi Kamada, Chadi Riad, Rio Cardines, Caleb Kporha, Cheick Doucouré, Daniel Muñoz | Injury |
Arsenal’s squad depth still allows rotation without major quality drop, while Palace’s long injury list could limit tactical flexibility.
Statistical Projection – Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
| Metric | Arsenal | Crystal Palace |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 62% | 38% |
| Shots on Target | 6–9 | 3–5 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.9–2.3 | 0.9–1.2 |
| Clean Sheet Probability | 42% | 20% |
| Corners | 7–10 | 3–5 |
| Most Likely Scorer | Bukayo Saka | Jean-Philippe Mateta |
Prediction Summary – Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Why Arsenal Could Win
- Strong recent form and confidence
- Home advantage at the Emirates Stadium
- Superior attacking depth and wing quality
- Positive head-to-head record against Palace
Why Crystal Palace Could Challenge
- Knockout format favors underdogs
- Pace in transition with Pino and Nketiah
- Physical presence of Mateta in the box
Despite Palace’s ability to counter, Arsenal’s control, pressing, and overall quality should prove decisive over 90 minutes.
Final Score Prediction: Arsenal 3–1 Crystal Palace
Likely Scorers:
- Bukayo Saka
- Gabriel Jesus
- Viktor Gyökeres
- Jean-Philippe Mateta
Confidence Levels:
- Arsenal Win – 60%
- Draw – 25%
- Crystal Palace Win – 15%
Read More:-
Betting Insight by E2bet
Arsenal’s attacking strength and Palace’s defensive absences suggest goals.
- Bet Tips: Arsenal Win + Over 2.5 Goals
- Best Value Bet: Correct Score 3–1
- Player Bet: Bukayo Saka to Score Anytime
⚠️ All predictions and insights are for informational purposes only. Betting involves risk—please play responsibly.
FAQs – Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
1.What time is Arsenal vs Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup quarter-finals?
The match kicks off at 01:30 local time on December 23, 2025.
2.Where is Arsenal vs Crystal Palace being played?
At the Emirates Stadium, London.
3.Who are the key players to watch?
Bukayo Saka for Arsenal and Jean-Philippe Mateta for Crystal Palace.
4.What is the recent head-to-head record?
Arsenal have won four of the last five meetings.
5.What is the predicted score?
A 3–1 home win for Arsenal.
