Crystal Palace’s mounting injury problems hand Arsenal a timely Carabao Cup advantage

Arsenal have been handed a boost ahead of their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace, with the visitors arriving at the Emirates Stadium amid a worsening injury crisis.

Mikel Arteta’s side host Oliver Glasner’s Eagles on Tuesday night with a place in the semi-finals on the line, and the timing of the tie may work firmly in Arsenal’s favour.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Carabao Cup quarter-final

Arsenal are aiming to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the third time in five seasons, having fallen short at the same stage last year.

They have not reached the final since 2018, but this home tie gives them a good opportunity to take another step towards much-needed silverware for Arteta.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, were eliminated by Arsenal at the quarter-final stage last season and have not reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals since 2012.

Of course, Palace did win the FA Cup last season, but their recent form and lack of squad depth make this a difficult assignment.

Both sides were in Premier League action on Saturday night. Arsenal edged past Everton 1-0 thanks to a Viktor Gyokeres penalty, while Palace suffered a 4-1 defeat away at Leeds United, a result that was followed by further concerns over player fitness.

Crystal Palace injury news vs Arsenal

Palace have a number of key players unavailable over the festive period. Ismaila Sarr is unavailable after joining Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations, taking away one of Glasner’s biggest attacking threats.

Defensively, Daniel Munoz remains sidelined with a knee injury that requires surgery. The full-back is not expected back until the end of January at the earliest, ruling him out of the trip to north London. Glasner confirmed earlier this month that the prognosis was four to six weeks while stressing the need for caution following surgery.

In midfield, Daichi Kamada is also out. The Japan international suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the month and faces several weeks out, meaning he will play no part in Tuesday’s quarter-final.

Jean-Philippe Mateta injury latest

There is also uncertainty surrounding Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The striker has been managing a knee problem in recent weeks, and although he featured in the defeat at Leeds, he was withdrawn late on as Palace continue to monitor his workload.

With the quick turnaround between matches, Glasner has to decide whether to risk Mateta or manage his minutes again.

Any absence would be a significant blow, given his importance to Palace’s attacking threat. Former Gunner Eddie Nketiah may continue to play in his place.

Arsenal injury news vs Crystal Palace

Arsenal are not without their own fitness concerns, however.

Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White and Gabriel remain the main defensive absentees for Arteta, though the Gunners’ overall availability appears stronger than their opponents’.

With Palace stretched by injuries and absences, Arsenal will see this as a favourable moment to push for a semi-final place and keep their domestic cup ambitions firmly alive.