EFL Cup 25/26, Quarterfinals · 23 Dec 2025

Arsenal 1–1 Crystal Palace

Picked for matchday: Two strong sides · Against the odds: the prediction gave this result 22% · Chances everywhere: 17.3 xG · Standout: Christantus Uche scored 100.0

Expected and what happened

Before the match, from team ratings for Nov 2025; the outlined result is what happened.

Expected xG: 1.8 – 0.7
Actual xG: 10.0 – 7.4
Goals: 1 – 1

Footybot made Arsenal favourites at 63%.

Arsenal deserved more from the draw, creating 10.0 xG to 7.4.

Best on the pitch by Footybot's score: Adam Wharton, 83.9 in 90′.

Well above their usual level: Nathaniel Clyne +34.1, Adam Wharton +28.9, Walter Benítez +24.1.

Well below it: Yéremy Pino −17.6, Eddie Nketiah −14.8.

Going in

Each side's last five results before this match.

Arsenal

20 Dec 2025	W 1–0	at Everton Premier League
13 Dec 2025	W 2–1	v Wolverhampton Premier League
10 Dec 2025	W 3–0	at Club Brugge KV Champions League
6 Dec 2025	L 1–2	at Aston Villa Premier League
3 Dec 2025	W 2–0	v Brentford Premier League

Crystal Palace

20 Dec 2025	L 1–4	at Leeds United Premier League
18 Dec 2025	D 2–2	v Kuopion Palloseura Conference League
14 Dec 2025	L 0–3	v Manchester City Premier League
11 Dec 2025	W 3–0	at Shelbourne Conference League
7 Dec 2025	W 2–1	at Fulham Premier League

Head to head

26 Oct 2025	Arsenal 1–0 Crystal Palace Premier League

Arsenal

Player	Min	xG	Score	vs usual
Bukayo Saka Forward	23	0.76	100.0	–
Martin Ødegaard Midfielder	23	0.76	79.8	–
Declan Rice Midfielder	16	1.20	71.0	–
Jurriën Timber Defender	90	1.40	66.6	+12.3
Gabriel Martinelli Forward	59	0.05	66.3	+16.1
Leandro Trossard Forward	31	0.76	65.8	–
Noni Madueke Forward	67	1.07	64.4	+10.0
Myles Lewis-Skelly Defender	90	0.10	61.7	+15.4
Eberechi Eze Midfielder	67	0.19	60.6	+10.5
Riccardo Calafiori Defender	90	1.05	60.0	+5.7
William Saliba Defender	90	0.76	53.8	+0.6
Christian Nørgaard Midfielder	90	0.36	48.1	+2.5
Mikel Merino Midfielder	90	0.76	46.3	−1.5
Gabriel Jesus Forward	86	0.76	45.7	–
Kepa Arrizabalaga Goalkeeper	90	–	42.3	–

Crystal Palace

Player	Min	G	A	xG	Score	vs usual
Christantus Uche Forward	16	0	0	0.76	100.0	–
Will Hughes Midfielder	15	0	0	0.76	100.0	–
Borna Sosa Defender	1	0	0	0.76	100.0	–
Adam Wharton Midfielder	90	0	0	0.80	83.9	+28.9
Nathaniel Clyne Defender	45	0	0	–	74.8	+34.1
Walter Benítez Goalkeeper	90	0	0	–	71.8	+24.1
Jean-Philippe Mateta Forward	90	0	0	0.84	70.5	+21.2
Maxence Lacroix Defender	90	0	0	1.12	68.9	+17.4
Marc Guéhi Defender	90	1	0	0.68	68.2	+18.4
Jefferson Lerma Midfielder	90	0	1	0.84	67.1	+21.9
Chris Richards Defender	75	0	0	–	58.4	+4.1
Jaydee Canvot Defender	45	0	0	–	52.0	+6.0
Justin Devenny Midfielder	45	0	0	0.76	51.1	+3.4
Tyrick Mitchell Midfielder	89	0	0	0.02	42.7	−0.2
Eddie Nketiah Forward	45	0	0	0.04	41.7	−14.8
Yéremy Pino Forward	86	0	0	–	40.3	−17.6