Arsenal have received a significant pre-match boost ahead of their crucial Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night, with the visiting Eagles grappling with a mounting injury crisis.
Emirates Showdown with Semi-Final Berth at Stake
The Gunners will welcome Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, competing for a coveted place in the competition's semi-finals. Arsenal have reached this stage twice in the last five years but have not advanced to the final since 2018. In contrast, Palace's Carabao Cup fortunes have been less bright; they were eliminated at this exact stage last season by Arsenal and have not featured in a semi-final since 2012.
Palace's Mounting Injury Woes Before Crucial Tie
The quick turnaround from weekend Premier League action poses a challenge for both sides, but it is a far greater concern for Crystal Palace. Their defeat to Leeds United on Saturday was compounded by a growing list of unavailable players. Defender Daniel Munoz is ruled out until at least the end of January following knee surgery, as confirmed by manager Oliver Glasner.
In further blows, midfielder Daichi Kamada is sidelined for several weeks with a serious hamstring injury, and winger Ismalia Sarr is away on international duty with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations. The Eagles are also anxiously monitoring striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has been playing through a knee issue and was substituted late in the Leeds match, making him a doubt for the trip to North London.
Arsenal's Own Concerns and Recent Form
While Mikel Arteta's side are not without their own fitness problems—with defenders Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, and Gabriel currently concerns—they head into the tie with momentum. Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 Premier League victory at Everton on Saturday, courtesy of a Viktor Gyokeres penalty. This result stands in stark contrast to Palace's defeat, potentially giving the hosts a psychological and physical edge.
The confluence of a tight schedule and a depleted squad presents a major selection headache for Glasner, potentially tilting the balance in favour of an Arsenal team determined to progress deeper into the competition. All will be decided under the lights at the Emirates in a match that promises high stakes and intense drama.
