Key occasions
16 min: Martinelli appears able to trigger some hassle tonight. Canvot, out on the suitable for Palace, is in for a shift.
14 min: Eze’s nook is flicked on on the entrance publish by Nørgaard, very practically discovering Saliba for the decisive contact. A primary glimpse of some set-piece havoc right this moment.
13 min: Calafiori drives ahead and finds Martinelli, on the touchline and searching sharp – he relishes the one-on-one and whips in a cross. Nook to the hosts.
11 min: Guéhi is in the way in which as Saliba performs the ball into the Palace space; Glasner’s males proceed to carry agency.
10 min: Lewis-Skelly tidies up on the again for Arsenal as Mateta battles up prime by himself.
9 min: Arsenal, as anticipated, are answerable for the ball however are pressured all the way in which again to Arrizabalaga as Palace maintain their form.
7 min: Calafiori, enjoying at centre-back, dinks a tidy ball excessive, looking for Martinelli … however it’s a contact heavy. Palace then launch a speedy counter, with Mitchell advancing down the left. He reaches the sting of the realm … earlier than smashing excessive and broad.
5 min: Eze hassles away on the Arsenal left, however Eddie Nketiah, as soon as of this parish, retains up with him.
3 min: Madueke intercepts a Palace throw on the Arsenal proper, performs to Martinelli, his go cuts straight via the Palace defence. The onrushing Madueke receives … and actually ought to do higher. He shoots straight at Benítez.
2 min: Madueke reveals off some fast toes to thump a cross in from the suitable earlier than Arsenal wheel it round in defence.
Peeeeep!
Arsenal kick issues off, decked of their traditional crimson.
Mikel Merino and Marc Guéhi lead their gamers out – we’ll be up and working shortly.
Arsenal, even with eight modifications to their XI, have some bench. We may see a recreation that matches the rhythm of the quarter-final final yr, with Palace starting effectively earlier than Arteta’s substitutions modified the tune.
Crystal Palace haven’t reached the semi-finals of the League Cup since 2012; Tom Heaton was Cardiff’s hero on penalties as they progressed to the ultimate in opposition to Liverpool.
Arsenal have had extra pleasure however haven’t received this trophy since … 1993. Paul Merson and Steve Morrow scored the objectives in a 2-1 victory in opposition to Sheffield Wednesday.
Ed Aarons mirrored on Palace’s heavy workload in his preview.
Arsenal look radically completely different from the facet that beat Everton, whereas Oliver Glasner makes simply three modifications to his Palace group. Gabriel Jesus makes his first begin since January and it’s his a centesimal look for the Gunners, too. Mikel Merino is Arsenal’s captain as Eberechi Eze strains up in opposition to his outdated friends.
Dean Henderson is the massive Palace title left on the bench, with Argentina’s Walter Benítez taking the gloves.
The groups
Arsenal: Arrizabalaga, Timber, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Nørgaard, Merino, Eze, Martinelli, Madueke, Jesus
Subs: Raya, Salmon, Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard, Nwaneri, Trossard, Saka, Gyökeres
Crystal Palace: Benítez, Canvot, Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi, Mitchell, Wharton, Lerma, Pino, Nketiah, Mateta
Subs: Henderson, Uche, Clyne, Hughes, Esse, Sosa, Rodney, Devenny, Drakes-Thomas
Preamble
Hi there, hiya, hiya: it’s time for some festive Carabao content material and I can’t assist however consider Marty McFly: hey, hey, I’ve seen this one, I’ve seen this one – this can be a traditional!
Yep, Arsenal hosted Palace a yr in the past on this very match, in the exact same spherical. From 1-0 down at half-time, Arsenal roared again with a 3-2 victory, courtesy of a Gabriel Jesus hat-trick. Rather a lot has occurred since: Palace have received their first main trophy, Jesus has simply returned from an ACL damage and Eberechi Eze has joined the opposite facet.
Whereas Palace have grown in stature, their job this night stays lofty. This’ll be their third match in six days – European commitments taking their toll – in opposition to a facet they’ve misplaced seven out of their final eight. However, then once more, Oliver Glasner likes making historical past.
For Arsenal supporters, the Carabao could really feel a contact small-fry if you’re prime of the desk and dominating within the Champions League. However, for all of their progress, 5 years have handed since profitable their solely correct trophy beneath Mikel Arteta. A cup ultimate win in March can be the right strategy to start the season run-in. Kick-off’s at 8pm GMT.
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