Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Match Preview, Latest Team News and How to Watch

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Carabao Cup Preview

Arsenal are gearing up for their Carabao Cup clash against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. With the festive period in full swing, both teams are facing injury challenges, but there’s still plenty at stake for Mikel Arteta’s side as they look to advance in the competition.

Date, Kick-off Time and Venue

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace will kick off at 8:00 pm GMT on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. The match will take place at the Emirates Stadium, the home ground of the Gunners in north London.

TV and Live Stream Options

For fans in the UK, the match will be broadcast live on both Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting at 7:30 pm. ITV1 will also air the match live, with their coverage beginning at the same time. Sky Sports subscribers can stream the game live through the Sky Go app and website, while ITVX will provide an alternative online option. 

Photo: IMAGO

Team News and Injury Updates

Both Arsenal and Crystal Palace are expected to have several key players missing for this cup tie.

For Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has already made 11 changes in his previous two outings, including a draw in the Conference League against Finnish side KuPS and a heavy 4-1 loss to Leeds in the Premier League. Arteta is facing an uphill battle with his squad, as up to seven first-team players could be unavailable for the match. Key names on the injury list include Kai Havertz, who will be absent for the next few weeks, and Ben White, who is unlikely to return until the New Year due to a hamstring injury. In addition, Gabriel Jesus may be available for selection after recovering from injury, offering Arteta a potential boost up front.

At the back, Cristhian Mosquera is out until January, and Max Dowman is dealing with an ankle problem. Despite these setbacks, Arteta is expected to rotate his squad, and there is a chance we’ll see Kepa Arrizabalaga start in goal, allowing David Raya to rest. The Gunners will rely on their depth, with players like Gabriel Jesus and Cristhian Norgaard set to feature.

Crystal Palace’s injury woes are even more pronounced, with manager Oliver Glasner missing several key figures. The Eagles will be without Ismaila Sarr, who is away on international duty for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and both Daniel Munoz and Daichi Kamada are long-term absentees due to knee and hamstring injuries. Cheick Doucoure is yet to feature this season, continuing his recovery from injury.

Glasner’s selection will likely feature some younger players, as seen in their recent loss to KuPS. Joel Drakes-Thomas, Kaden Rodney, Dean Benamar, and George King could be called upon to make up a youthful lineup, with the manager looking to rely on their energy and potential to keep Arsenal at bay.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Prediction

Arsenal have not been at their best recently, but their ability to grind out results has been a hallmark of their season so far. Their 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace earlier in the campaign showed that Arteta’s men cannot afford to underestimate their opponents, particularly with Palace’s underdog spirit. However, given Arsenal’s depth and quality, they are likely to find a way past a Palace team dealing with several key absences.

Despite some struggles, Arsenal should have enough to overcome a depleted Crystal Palace side. With a semi-final against Chelsea looming, Arteta’s side will have the motivation to secure a victory, and expect them to do so with a 2-0 win on the night.