SETTABLOID

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has lauded Gabriel Magalhães for his decisive defensive intervention against Manchester United in last season’s Premier League clash, describing it as a “magic moment.”

The Brazilian defender played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s dramatic 3-1 victory at the Emirates, a match sealed with late goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus. However, it was Gabriel’s subtle yet vital defensive awareness that helped keep the Gunners in the game at a crucial juncture.

United substitute Alejandro Garnacho appeared to have secured a late winner for the visitors in the 88th minute, racing past Arsenal’s backline to score past Aaron Ramsdale. The away end erupted in celebration, but VAR overturned the goal for offside.

Replays revealed the marginal nature of the decision, with United manager Erik ten Hag voicing his frustration post-match, insisting the goal should have stood. However, Gabriel’s quick thinking and body control proved decisive. The centre-back was caught on camera halting his forward momentum just enough to ensure Garnacho was offside, creating the gap required to nullify United’s likely winner.

Reflecting on the moment during his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Crystal Palace, Arteta highlighted Gabriel Magalhães brilliance as an example of the type of “magic moments” he wants his players to produce more frequently.

Arsenal entertain Crystal Palace in tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners played out a frustrating 0-0 draw against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday and manager Mikel Arteta will want a strong response in the London derby.

Arteta has made wholesale changes for the League Cup in the last two rounds, but we anticipate not more than five with a place up for grabs in the last four of the competition.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

Tommy Setford made his Gunners debut in the last round with Neto being Cup-tied. However, we expect David Raya to start in goal, considering the importance of the fixture.

In the backline, Arteta could make a solitary change from the Toffees draw. Gabriel Magalhaes could be rested, considering he has just returned from a hamstring issue.

Jakub Kiwior should partner William Saliba in the heart of the defence. Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly should continue in the right and left-back roles respectively.

Kieran Tierney is an option for the left-back position, but it is quite clear that Arteta does not fancy him and he is out-of-favour. He could head for the exit door next month.

In midfield, Declan Rice may only feature off the bench after a minor niggle on Saturday. We also anticipate Mikel Merino to be rested as he has been injury prone at Arsenal.

It could be Jorginho and Thomas Partey in the centre of the park with captain Martin Odegaard playing higher up from the attacking midfield position against the Eagles tonight.

In the final third, we expect two changes from the recent stalemate. Bukayo Saka should be a nailed-on starter on the right wing, but Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli could be dropped.

Havertz was far from impressive against the Toffees and he could make way for Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian has got into superb scoring positions, but has failed to find the net.

He could get another chance to revive his form and confidence. With Martinelli and Leandro Trossard struggling on the left wing, it is time to start Raheem Sterling from the role.

How Arsenal could line up vs Crystal Palace

We might not even be halfway through the season yet, but it’s starting to feel like things are slipping away from Arsenal.

Instead of battling at the very top of the Premier League table, as they have in the previous campaigns, Mikel Arteta’s side currently find themselves six points off leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

Now, the Gunners have had to deal with injuries, suspensions and a general drop in form across the board, but the area of the pitch that has been the most disappointing has been in attack and, specifically, off the left.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have been incredibly ineffective so far this term, but based on reports from the last month, the club could sign the perfect player to get them firing again.

Martinelli & Trossard’s disappointing season

So, it would be fair to say that Martinelli has underwhelmed ever since his sensational 22/23 campaign, in which he racked up 15 goals and six assists in 46 appearances.

For example, in 44 games last year, he could only muster up a meagre haul of eight goals and five assists, while this season looks to be much of the same, with four goals and two assists to his name in 22 appearances so far.

However, it’s not just his output that is starting to concern fans; it’s also his general attacking play, as he now seems incredibly reluctant to take full-backs on, and when he does find himself in dangerous positions, he either plays the wrong ball or fluffs his lines.

The busy festive season is upon us, with Arsenal back in action today (Wednesday) as they look to make it into the final four of the Carabao Cup.

The Gunners host fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in the quarter-final of the competition with kick off at 7.30pm. Just days later Mikel Arteta’s side face the same opponents away from home in the Premier League, as they travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday evening (5.30pm kick-off).

As well as the busy fixture schedule, eyes will also be turning to the upcoming January transfer window. The window opens in two weeks, with Arsenal one of the teams who will be looking to do business.

It’s no surprise then that the transfer links have started. With that in mind, here’s a look at a couple of the stories over the last 24 hours.

Arsenal will be hoping to make it three wins from three in the Carabao Cup when they face Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The Gunners have so far beaten Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End in the competition and will go through to the last four if they beat the Eagles at Emirates Stadium. Palace have come into some decent form, however, and go into the fixture on the back of an impressive 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Gunners go into the clash on the back of a frustrating 0-0 draw with Everton. Declan Rice was forced off injured during the match but he looks to have recovered in time to be named in the matchday squad.

“He’s fine. We will make the decision on whether he’s available or not,” Arteta said on the Englishman on Tuesday. Two players who have been ruled out are Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori. The Ukrainian has been nursing a muscle injury while Calafiori has been out with a groin injury.

Alex and Riccy will still be out of the squad for tomorrow,” Arteta confirmed. Elsewhere, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain out with knee injuries, with the duo not expected to return until 2025.

There will also be no place in the matchday squad for Neto. The goalkeeper signed for the Gunners on a season-long loan from Bournemouth but has already appeared in the Carabao Cup this campaign, which means he is ineligible.

So, looking at the official Arsenal website, the Gunners have 17 fit and eligible senior players available for selection for the game vs Crystal Palace. As per EFP Cup rules, a club is allowed to name a squad of 20 players for a Carabao Cup match.

Tommy Setford is expected to take Neto’s place on the bench as David Raya’s deputy, while Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are expected to be named in the squad once again. It’s possible both teenagers even start at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

Possible Arsenal squad for Crystal Palace: Raya, Setford; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Tierney, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Jorginho, Partey, Merino, Nwaneri, Odegaard; Trossard, Sterling, Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli, Saka.

Senior players unavailable for Crystal Palace: White (knee injury), Tomiyasu (knee injury), Calafiori (groin injury), Zinchenko (muscle injury), Neto (ineligible)