The final place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals will be decided tonight as Arsenal welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates Stadium in a rescheduled quarter-final clash. The winner will secure a lucrative two-legged tie against London rivals Chelsea, with a trip to Wembley at stake.
Fixture Reshuffle Sets Stage for Decisive Encounter
This match was originally scheduled for Tuesday 23 December 2025, but was postponed due to an intense fixture pile-up for the visitors. Crystal Palace faced the prospect of an arduous four matches in just eight days during mid-December, prompting the EFL to grant a reprieve and push the game back by one week.
This delay has provided managers Mikel Arteta and Oliver Glasner with additional preparation time, with both acutely aware of the prize that awaits. The road to Wembley becomes significantly clearer for the victor of tonight's encounter.
Semi-Final Landscape Awaits
On the other side of the draw, the semi-final lineup is already confirmed. Manchester City will face Newcastle United, ensuring the last four will not be an all-London affair. City and Newcastle secured their places by defeating Brentford and Fulham respectively in the other quarter-finals.
For Arsenal or Palace, the immediate reward is a high-stakes clash with Chelsea. The two-leg semi-final format increases the tactical intrigue and raises the pressure on both sides to perform tonight and secure that coveted spot.
Team News and Tactical Decisions
All eyes will be on the team sheets as Mikel Arteta makes critical selection calls. The fitness and involvement of key players, including striker Gyokeres, will be pivotal to Arsenal's approach. Oliver Glasner, meanwhile, must devise a plan to navigate a challenging away fixture against Premier League title contenders.
The rescheduling may have altered the fitness and availability of players from both camps, adding another layer of unpredictability to this cup tie. The Emirates Stadium is set for an evening of high drama as these two London clubs battle for a chance to continue their pursuit of domestic silverware.
