As Arsenal gears up to host Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium for the EFL Cup quarterfinal, the prospect of lifting a long-coveted trophy looms large. This match presents a significant opportunity for both teams, with the Eagles aiming to make history, as they have never reached the final of this competition. This marks their first appearance in the quarterfinals since the 2002-03 season. Conversely, many Arsenal fans have yet to witness their team lift a trophy they last won in 1993.
Arsenal enters this matchup seeking to regain their winning form after being held to back-to-back draws in the Premier League, including a frustrating 0-0 result against relegation battlers Everton over the weekend. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace comes into the game riding high on confidence, having extended their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to five matches, following a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Brighton.
Match Preview
The question on everyone’s mind is whether Arsenal can break their five-year trophy drought by claiming the Carabao Cup for the first time in 32 years. To reach this stage, the Gunners have showcased their attacking prowess by defeating both Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End, with young talent Ethan Nwaneri finding the net in both rounds. A win in this match would take Arsenal to their third semifinal appearance since 2011.
Mikel Arteta’s side is currently struggling to stay in the Premier League title race, sitting six points behind Liverpool after their disappointing draw with Everton, where they rarely looked like scoring. As they prepare to face Crystal Palace again in a league match at Selhurst Park on Saturday, this cup tie presents a critical opportunity for Arsenal to bounce back and assert their dominance at home.
How to Watch the Match
TV Channel: The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage begins at 7 PM GMT, leading up to the kickoff at 7:30 PM GMT.
Live Stream: Subscribers can also catch the action via the Sky Go app for live streaming.
Live Coverage: For real-time updates and expert analysis, follow Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, where Simon Collings will provide insights from the stadium.
Viewing Information
- Date: Wednesday, December 18
- Time: 2:30 PM ET
- Location: Emirates Stadium, London
Live Stream: Paramount+
Betting Odds:
- Arsenal: -225
- Draw: +340
- Crystal Palace: +650
Prediction
Based on recent performances, Arsenal appears to be in a position to secure a win. With their determination to end the trophy drought, a prediction of Arsenal winning 2-0 against Crystal Palace seems plausible.
Zainab Y.
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