This has been one of the most challenging years in the footballing life of Gabriel Jesus, scorer of only two goals in 2024 before this Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace. Out of form and increasingly out of the picture, he has looked at times like a man who has forgotten what once made him so special.

Such episodes can change in an instant, though. Especially for strikers as instinctive and creative as Jesus. One minute you don’t have it, and the next minute you do. For Jesus, that transformation took place in the second half of this victory over Palace, with Arsenal trailing and in desperate need of inspiration.

In the space of just 27 minutes, the Brazilian awoke from his months-long slumber. With three superb finishes, he more than doubled his tally for the calendar year. You could see the confidence returning. You could see the spring in his step. You could see, at last, the joy in his game again.

Is Jesus back? It certainly felt like it here, as Palace were unable to handle his movement and skill. Oliver Glasner’s side were impressive in the first half, leading through Jean-Philippe Mateta, but they were simply overpowered after the break. Jesus, supported by substitute Martin Odegaard, led that demolition of the away side’s defence.

“I can score goals, you know?” said Jesus. “I can create, I can make assists, I can run, I can help the team to defend. I am working a lot in training, finishing more and putting myself in good positions. I think today my hard work paid off.”

There can be no overstating how important an in-form Jesus could be to an Arsenal team that has struggled in recent weeks to break down stubborn opponents. Mikel Arteta speaks about needing “magic moments” and, in this mood, Jesus provides them as well as anyone in the Arsenal squad.

“It’s a great thing for him and the team,” said Arteta of the hat-trick. “He has a quality, a way of creating and generating situations that is quite unique. Gabi at that level is a big asset for us.

“The movement, the quality of his touches, the way he finished the actions, it’s a big, big thing for him and the team. It is a big message for the team that we have got Gabi back at his best.”

If he can maintain this form in this competition, Jesus might just fire Arsenal to long-awaited success in the League Cup. His club has not won it since 1993 and, while it is not a priority this year, there is no doubt that the fans want glory at Wembley.

Arteta wants it too, of course, but he also has bigger ambitions. He made that clear with his team selection here, as his biggest stars moved to the bench. Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz all watched from the sidelines in the first half.

As it turned out, the absence of the two centre-backs was the most significant early problem. In came Jakub Kiwior, the backup to Gabriel, and it was his error that allowed Mateta to open the scoring after just four minutes of action.

Faced with a downfield punt, Kiwior inexplicably allowed the ball to bounce. From that moment on, it was in Mateta’s possession. Palace’s top scorer strode away in typically powerful fashion before slipping a neat finish into the corner.

“It was the perfect start but already in the first half we played with too much respect,” said Glasner. “We needed a performance of our top level and it was not a performance at our top level.”

Palace had arrived here in resurgent form, with Glasner’s side losing just one of their previous nine matches in all competitions. They have found their groove again after a difficult start to their campaign and at first their back three, featuring Trevoh Chalobah, Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi, seemed to be enjoying the challenge in a rain-soaked north London.

This fixture was complicated somewhat by the fact that these two teams meet again in the Premier League on Saturday evening. Is it possible that Arteta made so many changes because of that upcoming rematch? It is certainly hard to imagine the likes of Kiwior and Kieran Tierney starting at Selhurst Park.

That is no slight on Tierney, who was one of Arsenal’s better performers here before he went off with cramp. It is simply a reflection of the reality of his situation: after spending last season on loan in Spain, this was his first start for Arsenal since May 2023.

To the surprise of no one, Arteta called for his captain at half-time. With Odegaard in midfield, Arsenal were suddenly a different side. Shortly after the break Raheem Sterling failed to convert at the back post, and then Jesus found the breakthrough a few minutes later. From Odegaard’s pass, the Brazilian spun in behind and dinked in a gorgeous finish.

The Emirates had come alive, and Jesus in particular seemed to thrive off that renewed energy. His second came from Saka’s pass, fired into the corner, and the third was finished even more emphatically, this time from Odegaard’s through ball.

Palace were to strike back again, with former Arsenal player Eddie Nketiah producing a fine header, but this was not to be their night. At long last, the occasion belonged to Jesus.

10:04 PM GMT

Thanks for joining us

That brings an end to our coverage of Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace which sees them progress to the semi-finals of the League Cup.

09:55 PM GMT

Liverpool through

It wasn’t straight forward but Liverpool have reached the semi-finals after beating Southampton 2-1 at St Mary’s.

Cameron Archer’s strike halved the home side’s deficit following goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey but couldn’t get the equaliser with the holders marching on.

09:49 PM GMT

Hat-trick hero

09:47 PM GMT

Jesus back to his best?

09:44 PM GMT

Newcastle through

Despite a late goal from Yoane Wissa, Newcastle are safely through to the semi-finals thanks to their 3-1 win at home over Brentford.

09:39 PM GMT

Rematch this weekend

Crystal Palace will have an immediate chance at revenge as they host Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

It will be a different story with Selhurst Park behind them but the Palace fans may not be feeling too pleased about coming up against Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka so soon.

09:37 PM GMT

When are the semi-finals?

The semi-final draw will take place following the conclusion of Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United on Thursday.

The ties will take place over two legs across the week commencing 6 January and the week commencing 3 February for a spot in the final at Wembley Stadium.

09:35 PM GMT

Tale of changes

After a lacklustre first half from the hosts and a solid opening period from the visitors, Mikel Arteta decided to bring his key men on while Oliver Glasner decided to take his off.

Martin Odegaard came on at the break to tee up Gabriel Jesus’ first and third of the evening while Bukayo Saka came on midway through the second half to set up the Brazilian’s second.

Meanwhile, with the scores level at 1-1, Glasner took off his two main threats as Jean-Phillipe Mateta, who opened the scoring and caused the Arsenal defence problems throughout, was withdrawn along with Eberechi Eze.

09:26 PM GMT

Elsewhere

Newcastle are 3-0 up in the second half at home to Brentford thanks to Sandro Tonali’s brace before Fabian Schar added a third.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s two-goal advantage following goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliot has been halved following Cameron Archer’s goal.

Follow live updates of the clash at St Mary’s here and updates of Newcastle vs Brentford here.

09:22 PM GMT

Full time: Arsenal 3 Crystal Palace 2

The full-time whistle blows and Arsenal are through to the semi-finals thanks to Gabriel Jesus’ second-half hat-trick.

09:22 PM GMT

90+5 mins: Arsenal 3 Crystal Palace 2

Saliba looks to shield the ball out from Nketiah but the ball takes a nick off his knee and is out for a corner. Henderson is up but his opposite number punches well away and Arsenal should be home and dry here.

09:20 PM GMT

90+4 mins: Arsenal 3 Crystal Palace 2

Palace have been sending it long as they look for the equaliser but Arsenal are dealing with everything that comes there way for now. Just a couple more minutes for the visitors to find the crucial goal.

09:17 PM GMT

90+1 mins: Arsenal 3 Crystal Palace 2

Chalobah goes over and grabs the ball thinking he’s been fouled but he is penalised for handball. Arsenal opt against swinging it in and Jesus takes it to the corner instead.

Palace nick it back and break quickly as Schlupp slides Nketiah in on goal but his first touch takes him too wide and his low cross is cut out.

Five minutes added on here.

09:14 PM GMT

88 mins: Arsenal 3 Crystal Palace 2

A change from either side as Gabriel replaces Kiwior for the hosts while Schlupp comes on for Mitchell for Glasner’s men. It was going to be for Sarr but a change of plan following the goal.

09:13 PM GMT

GOAL! Nketiah scores against old side

Arsenal 3 Crystal Palace 2 (Nketiah) Sarr feeds the overlapping Clyne to his right, who swings in a cross into the box.

It picks out Nketiah and the former Arsenal man does superbly to generate enough power on the header to find the bottom right corner from the penalty spot.

09:09 PM GMT

GOAL! Jesus has his hat-trick

Arsenal 3 Crystal Palace 1 (Jesus) Crystal Palace are attacking but Arsenal pinch it and work it to Odegaard. He picks his head up and plays Jesus in on goal with a fabulous ball into the Palace half.

The Brazilian was onside after started his run inside his own half but latches onto the ball, takes it into the right of the area and finishes ruthlessly into the bottom left corner.

09:07 PM GMT

80 mins: Arsenal 2 Crystal Palace 1

Youngster Devenny is coming on for Hughes in Palace’s next change of the evening.

09:05 PM GMT

79 mins: Arsenal 2 Crystal Palace 1

While Glasner has taken off his key men in this second half, Arteta has brought his main men on and they have made the difference with the assists for Jesus’ goals.

There are huge appeals, mainly from the fans, that Henderson took the ball out of the area while it was in his grasps but replays show he did well to keep it inside the box.

09:03 PM GMT

76 mins: Arsenal 2 Crystal Palace 1

Palace deliver a ball in from the right and Sarr turns really sharply at the near post before squaring a dangerous ball across the six-yard box but Arsenal can scramble away for a corner.

Arsenal head clear and look to break through Saka but Kamada does well to stick to his task and make the challenge on halfway.

09:01 PM GMT

GOAL! Jesus gives Arsenal the lead

Arsenal 2 Crystal Palace 1 (Jesus) Saka turns beautifully on the edge of the area before sliding Jesus in behind. The striker composes himself before rifling into the bottom left corner to give Arsenal the lead.

Replays show he may have been a tad offside but with no VAR the goal stands. It was marginal.

08:59 PM GMT

72 mins: Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1

Odegaard plays another fabulous, slicing through-ball, similarly as he did for the goal. This time it’s in behind for Jesus but the striker can’t quite latch onto it as Henderson comes out to gather.

08:58 PM GMT

Lewis-Skelly won’t overlap like Tierney

The width provided by Tierney on the left flank has really helped Arsenal in this second half. He is stretching the game and creating space for Trossard.

He’s had to come off now (he looks exhausted, understandably) and Myles Lewis-Skelly is on. Lewis-Skelly won’t overlap in the same way, I don’t think. Let’s see how it changes Arsenal’s attacking shape

08:56 PM GMT

70 mins: Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1

Tierney does make way for Lewis-Skelly while Saka also comes on for Sterling and is greeted with a huge cheer from the home fans.

08:55 PM GMT

68 mins: Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1

Palace mount a rare attack down their left and their fans in that corner are adamant they should have a foul for Timber’s challenge on Mitchell but no doing.

Tierney has just sat on the floor and looks to be either injured or tired. This will be a huge blow for Arteta and the player if it’s something serious.

08:51 PM GMT

64 mins: Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1

Jesus is looking really sharp now. Trossard picks out a pass into the striker’s feet inside the box and he rolls to his right this time before looking to poke past Henderson but the Palace keeper saves well.

08:50 PM GMT

62 mins: Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1

Arsenal lose out in defence allowing Palace to attack through Lerma. He sees Raya off of his line but opts not to shoot. The attack slows but the ball is worked back to Lerma on the edge of the box and he does decide to take aim this time but sees his low drive saved easily by Raya.

08:47 PM GMT

Standing ovation for Nketiah

Standing ovation for the returning Eddie Nketiah here, and chants of “Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!” This is the Arsenal academy graduate’s first game against his former club.

08:46 PM GMT

60 mins: Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1

A double-change from the hosts as Kamada and Nketiah come on for Eze and Mateta. Can Nketiah have an impact against his former side? He gets a positive reception from the home fans.

08:45 PM GMT

58 mins: Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1

The goal was pure quality from Jesus but it came from the incisive pass from Odegaard. A brilliant impact from the bench from the skipper.

After a barrage of Arsenal attacks, Palace manage an attack which ends with Lacroix striking high and wide from range.

08:43 PM GMT

Beautiful goal from Jesus

Based on the quality of that finish, you would not have known that was only the third goal Gabriel Jesus has scored in 2024. Beautiful run, control and finish.

Quite extraordinary that the ball did not go in the Palace net on that Sterling chance. If we are being generous to Sterling, we can say that the rebound comes back to him very quickly. But that is generous. I reckon he feels he should have scored the first chance, too.

08:42 PM GMT

GOAL! Jesus scores magnificent equaliser

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 (Jesus) Odegaard plays a slicing through ball into the feet of Jesus. His first touch sees him roll past Chalobah into the right of the box before he produces a deft chip over the onrushing Henderson. That’s a fantastic goal from the striker.

08:40 PM GMT

52 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

Arsenal carve out their best chance of the match! The home side work it nicely out to Tierney who plays a teasing ball across the six-yard box.

It reaches Sterling arriving from the right but Henderson gets across well to make the save at the near post before the winger strikes the bar on the rebound.

Trossard then has an effort stopped by Henderson before Merino fires wide.

08:36 PM GMT

49 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

It’s been a fairly low-key start to the second half but Palace are continuing to press Arsenal high up the pitch and have forced a couple of loose passes from Kiwior.

08:33 PM GMT

46 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

Arsenal get us underway for the second half going from right to left. Can they get themselves level?

Arteta has brought on Odegaard and Saliba in place of Nwaneri and Partey. Meanwhile for Palace, Clyne is on for Kporha who picked up a booking in the opening period.

08:31 PM GMT

Odegaard coming on

It’s looking like Martin Odegaard will be introduced for the second-half. We will bring you the details of any changes shortly.

08:28 PM GMT

The difference-maker so far

08:25 PM GMT

Elsewhere tonight

Newcastle are 1-0 up at home to Brentford as the sides approach the interval thanks to Sandro Tonali’s strike from the edge of the area.

Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez has just given Liverpool the lead in the 24th minute against Southampton.

08:23 PM GMT

Defensive solidity from Palace

Crystal Palace have limited Arsenal to just 19 touches in the box, 0.20 expected goals and two shots on target. They seem to have settled on a really solid back three with Chalobah, Lacroix and Guehi.

08:17 PM GMT

Half-time: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

Eze wins a foul in a promising position about 35 or 40 yards out after being nudged to the ground with his back to goal. He remarkably goes for the shot after Palace send men forward but it hits the one-man wall.

After Arsenal threaten a counter, it’s sent long to Mateta and he takes a lovely first touch but his back heel can’t find Sarr.

That is the last real action of the opening period as the referee blows the half-time whistle and Palace have the lead at the break!

08:13 PM GMT

44 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

Arsenal work it nicely out to Sterling and he hangs a cross up the back post but Kporha does well to flick it behind for corner.

Again Palace leave three men higher up the pitch for the set-piece. The ball drops back to Trossard after the initial delivery but he is so wasteful with his cross which goes way over everyone.

08:08 PM GMT

39 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

Arsenal string some nice passes together in and around the area but Partey’s first-time cross is in front of everyone and out for a goal-kick.

Palace play out nicely this time and Chalobah’s long ball into Mateta is a good one but his cut back from the right of the box doesn’t find a yellow shirt.

08:05 PM GMT

35 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

It’s another nice move from Arsenal down their left as Merino is fed into the left of the box but his pull-back is cut out by a Palace defender.

The visitors are just starting to struggle to keep onto the ball for any meaningful period of time when they win it back. Arsenal are finding most of their joy down their left.

08:03 PM GMT

Long night for Kporha

Young Caleb Kporha, only 18 years old, could be in for a long night. The Palace wing-back is on a booking and he’s having trouble dealing with Leandro Trossard on Arsenal’s left flank. That seems an obvious area for Arsenal to target but Palace are playing well so far, restricting the home side to only one chance in the opening 27 minutes.

08:02 PM GMT

32 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

Jesus does well to deal with a ball pinged into him by Trossard before spinning and winning the foul from Lacroix. It’s in a great position on the edge of the box, slightly to the left, about of 20 yards out.

It’s Sterling who steps up and it’s a great effort that goes close to the top left corner but Henderson makes a superb save to turn it over for a corner. Merino’s header at the back post loops over for a goal-kick.

07:59 PM GMT

29 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

Arsenal have had 72% of the ball but have managed just two shots to Palace’s three and one on target to Palace’s two.

Saka and Saliba are already trotting down the touch-line to warm-up. Maybe Arteta is sending a message to his players on the pitch that they need to up it or changes will be made.

07:55 PM GMT

26 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

Trossard looks to be in a bit of pain from the foul but is eventually ok to take the free-kick from the left but Henderson does well to punch the inswinging delivery clear.

Jorginho clips a nice-looking ball over the top for Jesus but his first touch takes him away from the goal.

07:53 PM GMT

23 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

Trossard is appealing for a penalty following the challenge of Hughes but it would have been soft.

A couple of minutes later and Trossard certainly is fouled this time as he has the beating of Kporha on the outside and is tripped by the young wing-back, who picks up the first yellow of the match.

07:50 PM GMT

21 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

Nwaneri clips a nice ball into the box from the free-kick but Palace cope. They can clear to Eze who does well to win the free-kick when surrounded by three or four Arsenal men.

He looks to catch Raya out as he quickly takes aim with the free-kick from halfway but it ends up going comfortably over.

07:48 PM GMT

19 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

Kporha, on his first senior start, drives at Tierney down Palace’s right but he over-runs at as he reaches the box and gives away the foul.

Partey has the ball pinched from him by Eze just inside the Palace half but he is really fortunate to see the foul given. The Palace man got the ball there and was in a really dangerous position.

07:47 PM GMT

17 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

Jesus loses out sloppily to Sarr who can drive down the right and take aim from the edge of the box. His low effort takes a nick and Raya does well to parry it away.

There have been some nice moments from Eze early on with a brilliant first touch a few moments ago before a nice bit of control and spreading of play just now.

07:43 PM GMT

Palace leaving players forward at Arsenal corner

How to stop Arsenal from corners? In the Champions League, Monaco took a new approach by leaving three players upfield, presumably to reduce the amount of crowding in the box. Palace have done the same here tonight.

07:41 PM GMT

11 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

It’s a nice move from Arsenal as Nwaneri and Merino combine to work it out to the overlapping Tierney on the left. His cross is blocked by Chalobah and there are huge appeals for a handball but the referee waves it on. A reminder there is no VAR this evening.

The corner from the left from Trossard nearly runs all the way through into the goal but Lerma is there to clear off the line. Arsenal then win it high up the pitch but as Sterling tees up Trossard on the edge of the area, he blazes his effort over.

07:38 PM GMT

9 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1

Kiwior looks nervous once again from the long ball under pressure from Sarr but this time it runs on for a goal-kick. The defender is yet to settle.

Sterling looks to hassle Guehi with a longer ball from Arsenal this time but he is penalised for a nudge.

07:36 PM GMT

Dreadful from Kiwior

Mikel Arteta has rested both of his first-choice centre-backs tonight and he has already paid the price. Dreadful error by Jakub Kiwior, who was totally unable to handle a simple punt downfield. Jean-Philippe Mateta is a powerful man but he should never have been gifted such an easy chance.

07:35 PM GMT

GOAL! Mateta scores after three minutes

Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 1 (Mateta) Henderson kicks long and Kiwior fails to deal with it in the air as he is eased away from the duel by Mateta. The Palace forward drives into the left of the area, holds off the Polish defender and finishes into the bottom right corner. The Emirates is stunned!

07:33 PM GMT

2 mins: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 0

It looks like it’s Jesus leading the line for the hosts with Trossard on the left and Sterling on the right. Nwaneri is playing a lot higher than Merino when Arsernal are on the ball.

07:31 PM GMT

1 min: Arsenal 0 Crystal Palace 0

We are underway at the Emirates with Crystal Palace and Eze getting things going kicking from right to left.

Andrew Madley is the man in the middle this evening.

07:29 PM GMT

Big opportunity for silverware

It will be interesting to see what sort of atmosphere is created in the Emirates tonight. There are a few minutes to go before kick-off and it’s far from full. It’s also raining quite heavily.

The League Cup simply isn’t a top priority for Arsenal or their fans but this is still a quarter-final and it’s a huge opportunity to win a trophy.

07:28 PM GMT

Kick-off approaching

The teams are out of the tunnel and we are now just a couple of moments away from kick-off at the Emirates.

07:27 PM GMT

If the teams are tied after 90 minutes

If things are all square at the end of 90 minutes, we are going straight to penalties with no extra time or replays on the cards.

07:25 PM GMT

Semi-final draw and schedule

The semi-final draw of the League Cup will take place following the conclusion of Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United on Wednesday.

The ties will take place over two legs across the week commencing 6 January and the week commencing 3 February for a spot in the final at Wembley Stadium.

07:23 PM GMT

Rematch awaits

The losers this evening won’t have long to wait to get their revenge with the sides set to meet in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

07:21 PM GMT

Elsewhere in the quarter-finals

It’s 12th vs 11th from the Premier League as Newcastle United host Brentford this evening.

Meanwhile, league leaders Liverpool travel to take on Southampton, who are playing their first match after sacking Russel Martin.

The final quarter-final tie takes place tomorrow as Tottenham Hotspur welcome Manchester United .

07:17 PM GMT

Previous meetings

Arsenal have won the last four meetings between the sides which have all come in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s men have scored 12 goals across the four ties and conceded just twice, with the most recent meeting in January 2024 ending 5-0.

Crystal Palace’s last success came in a 3-0 win at Selhurst Park in April 2022.

07:15 PM GMT

Arteta on Nwaneri versatility and compatibility with Odegaard

Ethan Nwaneri is in from the start for Arsenal after scoring three goals in their two matches so far in the competition.

The 17-year-old generally occupies the role on the right side of midfield when featuring for Mikel Arteta’s men - a position which Martin Odegaard has largely made his own at the Emirates.

Discussing whether Nwaneri and the Arsenal skipper can play together, Arteta said: “It depends on who they’re surrounded with and what positions they can play.

“He [Nwaneri] can play as an right attacking midfielder, left attacking midfielder and a winger. I also think he can develop as a nine.”

07:11 PM GMT

‘I’m pretty sure Nketiah will get minutes’, says Glasner

Eddie Nketiah, who returns to his former club this evening, is yet to score for Crystal Palace in the Premier League since his summer arrival from the Emirates.

Discussing the former Arsenal man, Palace boss Oliver Glasner said: “I’m pretty sure he will get minutes in his old stadium. He’s very ambitious and he’s working hard.

“He had a very positive impact at Brighton - we got the game in more control. He wants to score and I see that every day in training.”

07:09 PM GMT

Palace looking for maiden final appearance

Crystal Palace are looking to book a spot in the last four of the League Cup for the first time since the 2011/12 campaign when they were beaten by Cardiff.

They have yet to make a final in the competition despite reaching the semi-finals on four occasions.

07:06 PM GMT

Tierney returns

The big news for Arsenal is that Kieran Tierney is back in the team, making his first start for the club since May 2023. He spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad and has been recovering from a serious hamstring injury for most of this campaign.

A fan favourite in north London, Tierney will hope to remind the world why he was once one of the most important players in the Arsenal squad.

07:05 PM GMT

Arsenal’s recent League Cup history

Arsenal are looking to reach the League Cup semi-finals for the first time since the 2021/22 campaign where they lost out to Liverpool over two legs.

Their most recent appearance in the final of the competition came in the 2017/18 where they lost 3-0 to Manchester City.

Arsenal last tasted glory in the 1992/93 season thanks to a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the final.

07:03 PM GMT

Palace’s route to the last eight

Crystal Palace kicked off their League Cup campaign with a 2-1 win away to QPR with the goals coming from former Arsenal man Eddie Nketiah and Eberechi Eze.

It was another 2-1 away win in the last 16, this time over Aston Villa, with Eze opening the scoring before Daichi Kamada bagged a second-half winner.

06:59 PM GMT

Arsenal’s cup run

Arsenal’s League Cup run started with an emphatic 5-1 at home over Bolton Wanderers with 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri scoring twice.

They then reached the last eight with a 3-0 away to Preston North End thanks to goals from Nwaneri once again as well as Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.

06:56 PM GMT

Glasner: I think it’s possible we win

Discussing Arsenal, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said: “I think it’s possible [that we win]. They have been struggling a few weeks ago but now injured players are coming back and their form has got better and better.”

Elaborating on the strengths of Mikel Arteta’s men, he said: “They have a clear structure - wide wingers [who are] good in the one v ones and half spaces, going in behind, early crosses. They are very dominant in possession and have a very good balance. Mikel Arteta is a fantastic manager.”

06:52 PM GMT

Winning League Cup would be ‘really helpful’ in Premier League, says Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said playing Crystal Palace “is always really tough” and “it is another layer of difficulty when you play a team twice in a row.”

When asked how winning the League Cup can help them challenge for the Premier League, he said: “I think it is really helpful. It brings belief, trust and positive energy. Touching a cup generates that energy and I think it creates the right path.”

06:47 PM GMT

Key Injury news

Defenders Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori are not available for tonight’s game.

Mikel Arteta said that Declan Rice “is fine”, but that he would make a decision on whether the midfielder will play after training. He isn’t included in the squad.

Following a couple of fitness doubts, Oliver Glasner had said “JP [Mateta] is OK. We will take the final decision tomorrow with Eze, but it looks quite good.” Both players start.

He confirmed midfielder Adam Wharton still is not back in full training: “I think it will take a few weeks until he is available.”

06:43 PM GMT

Those line-ups in full

Arsenal: Raya; Partey, Timber, Kiwior, Tierney; Nwaneri, Jorginho, Merino; Sterling, Trossard, Jesus.

Subs: Setford, Saliba, Gabriel, Kacurri, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Kporha, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta.

Subs: Clyne, Devenny, Doucoure, Kamada, Nketiah, Richards, Schlupp, Turner, Ward.

06:39 PM GMT

Glasner makes one change

There is just one change to the Crystal Palace team that beat Brighton last time out as Oliver Glasner brings in Kporha to replace Munoz.

06:37 PM GMT

Eight changes for Arsenal

Mikel Arteta makes eight changes to the side that started the draw with Everton on the weekend with Raya, Timber and Merino the only players to keep their place.

06:34 PM GMT

Preview: Arsenal gunning for silverware

Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Arsenal vs Crystal Palace from the quarter-finals of the League Cup. After suffering another setback in their Premier League season on the weekend, this evening’s tie presents a wonderful opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s men to take one step closer to their first major trophy under the Spanish manager since winning the FA Cup in 2020.

After successive runners-up finishes in the league, those at the Emirates Stadium were optimistic of going one step further this season, but following a goalless draw at home to Everton on Saturday, Arsenal sit six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand. However, given Arne Slot’s men are the only other side currently in the top nine of the division to remain in the League Cup, Arteta and his players will remain hopeful of silverware this season.

They have enjoyed a comfortable route to the last eight with 5-1 and 3-0 wins over Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End, respectively. The competition has presented the chance for 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri to showcase his talent, with the academy graduate scoring three times across the two ties.

They take on a Crystal Palace side who they have beaten in their last four meetings but who will be buoyant after a 3-1 win over rivals Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, which extended their unbeaten run in the league to five games. After a slow start to the campaign, Oliver Glasner’s men have picked up nine points from a possible 15 in a run that has seen them go four points clear of the relegation zone.

The south London side have endured a more testing run to the quarter-finals having needed second-half winners to get through visits to QPR and Aston Villa, which both finished 2-1. Palace’s talisman Eberechi Eze was on the scoresheet in both clashes and is it fit to start this evening despite injury doubts following the weekend.

This evening’s visit to the Emirates presents a chance for Palace to reach their first League Cup semi-final in over 10 years as they continue to wait for their maiden appearance in a final of the competition.