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Arsenal injuries: Every player out of Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace

Riccardo Calafiori is one of several currently absent Arsenal full-backs / Alex Pantling/GettyImages

Mikel Arteta is well aware that now’s the time for his project to return some silverware.

If you exclude a pair of Community Shield triumphs, Arsenal have gone more than four years without a trophy. Since claiming the FA Cup in year one, the domestic cups have not been kind to Arteta.

We have to add trophies to that, for sure,” Arteta said back in September when discussing the success of his rebuild. “And we will do our best to achieve that.”

The Gunners have been blessed with kind draws in the Carabao Cup so far, and although Crystal Palace enter Wednesday’s quarter-final in good form, this is a game Arsenal are expected to win. Expect vintage toxicity to return to the Emirates if the Eagles extend their unbeaten run to six.

Arsenal have not been aided by key injuries this term, and there’s unlikely to be much change from the weekend. But this is the latest injury news from the red half of north London ahead of their Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Ben White underwent knee surgery during the November break / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

The bulk of Arsenal’s current concerns reside in defence. It doesn’t seem as if the Gunners sustained any fresh injuries from Saturday’s goalless draw with Everton, but it remains to be seen whether any of the absent stars will be fit in time for Wednesday’s cup tie.

Arsenal will be without Ben White after he underwent minor knee surgery during the November international break. He likely won’t play until 2025.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has featured just once this season as a result of a nagging knee issue that seemingly won’t go away. A potential return date for the Japan international has not been revealed.

Oleksandr Zinchenko hasn’t played since he started at left-back in the 2-0 win over Manchester United a fortnight ago. Zinchenko has missed the last three games due to an unspecified knock and is unlikely to return on Wednesday.

Summer arrival Riccardo Calafiori missed almost a month of football because of a knee injury over the autumn and his workload was managed by Arteta once he returned to the fold. However, a groin issue has sidelined the Italy international for the past couple of weeks. Arteta admitted Calafiori was “very close” to returning before the Everton game, but it’s unlikely he’ll be risked in midweek.

Midfielders

It’s been a pretty tough season for Declan Rice so far, although the England international has shown signs of returning to his very best form after the November break. Rice had been bothered by a reported broken toe last month, and it’s not yet clear whether he has fully shaken that problem.

Every Arsenal player out of Carabao Cup quarter-final vs Crystal Palace

Player	Injury	Status
Ben White	Knee	Out
Takehiro Tomiyasu	Knee	Out
Riccardo Calafiori	Groin	Doubt
Oleksandr Zinchenko	Knock	Doubt
Declan Rice	Foot/Knock	Doubt

Mikel Arteta had no place for me at Arsenal – Now I can prove him wrong with Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace star Eddie Nketiah will be keen to make an impact against former club Arsenal in two games over the next three days. Nketiah departed Emirates Stadium for the Eagles this past summer in a £30million deal but has struggled to make a lasting impact at his new club.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta with Eddie Nketiah

Eddie Nketiah left Arsenal to join Crystal Palace this past summer (Image: (Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))

The 25-year-old has played just 57 Premier League minutes in the last six games with a minor injury keeping him out of two of those. Nketiah came on for the final 30 minutes against Brighton this past weekend and provided the assist for Ismaila Sarr’s second goal which helped Palace beat rivals Brighton 3-1.

A start for Nketiah, amid slight injury concerns surrounding Jean-Phillipe Matate and Eberechi Eze, appears likely with the ex-Arsenal striker also having started the previous two Carabao Cup games. His only goal for Palace arrived in the 2-1 third round victory over QPR, and if anyone knows how to score at Emirates Stadium, it is Nketiah.

Upon his switch to across London, Nketiah opened up on the decade he spent representing Arsenal. “Obviously, I’ve been at Arsenal for 11 years, so it was like a home for me,” he told Palace club media. “But leaving, you just want to take that next step in your career.

“I think Crystal Palace is a wonderful place. I’ve seen a lot of players develop and take the next step in their career here – so that’s what I want to do. I want to improve.

“I want to play more minutes, and hopefully help the team as much as I can. I’m just going to build on it – and the more I play, the better I’m going to get.” Unfortunately for him, Arteta deemed his services surplus to requirements with Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus all above him in the pecking order last season.

‘Doesn’t need to learn’ – Manchester United star sent £55m transfer warning

Rasmus Hojlund needs to ‘relax more’ and learn how to ‘use his strength and pace at the right times’ to succeed long term at Manchester United.

That is the view of former United forward Louis Saha, who has talked up the prospect of United possibly signing Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic as an upgrade.

Vlahovic was involved in a heated exchange with Juventus supporters in the wake of their 2-2 draw at home to Venezia on Sunday and there are reports that manager Thiago Motta may want to move in a new direction up front.

The Serbian international scored in last Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Man City in the Champions League and has scored 11 goals in 19 games this season.

As such, English clubs are said to be on alert over the 24-year-old’s availability in January and he is rated at around £55million from the Italian side.

Hojlund has scored five goals in United’s first seven matches under Amorim and has established himself as the club’s first choice forward ahead of Joshua Zirkzee.

Manchester United winger attracting interest ahead of January transfer window

Manchester United youngster Ethan Ennis is attracting interest ahead of the January transfer window.

Ennis has been in excellent form for the Under-21s this season, scoring 10 goals in 15 appearances in all competitions, and is seen as someone who would benefit from a loan.

It’s understood talks are ongoing ahead of the January window and if a loan is sanctioned for Ennis, his destination will be at the club who can pitch the best plan for his development for the remainder of the season, meaning minutes could be prioritised over a ‘higher placed’ side.

Ennis has been talismanic for the U21s this term. His goals in the National League Cup have been important and he notched a hat-trick against Altrincham in a 4-0 win last month.

Why Arsenal vs Crystal Palace could be one of the biggest games of Mikel Arteta’s career

PRESTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds the fans after the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Preston North End and Arsenal at Deepdale on October 30, 2024 in Preston, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta faces a huge evening in the Carabao Cup when Arsenal take on Crystal Palace. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

When Mikel Arteta signed his contract extension in September, his ambition was clear. “I would say a lot of major trophies.”

It’s been more than four years since the Spaniard won his sole major piece of silverware with Arsenal. No one can take Arteta’s 2020 FA Cup winner’s medal away from him, but the inherited squad and undefined style of play make the circumstances around that victory slightly detached.

That’s not to say the job he’s done at the Emirates Stadium hasn’t been remarkable. Arsenal have gone from back-to-back eighth placed finishes to back-to-back title races. Each year under the Spaniard they have improved in terms of points tally and it has taken arguably the best team in Premier League history to stop them from winning a title.

The good will this has bought Arteta is deservedly huge. The atmosphere has changed entirely around the club and his name is bellowed out home and away by Arsenal supporters. Now though, there is just the slightest hint at a chink in the armour of positivity Arteta has made for himself.

After Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Everton boos rang out around the Emirates Stadium for the first time in years. A title race has quickly transformed from a hope to an expectation. Arsenal fans have entered an era where they are no longer happy to be simply challenging for trophies. They want to win them.

Latest Arsenal injury news as four miss Crystal Palace with huge Declan Rice decision made

Gabriel Martinelli, Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori celebrate after Arsenal score vs Leicester

Mikel Arteta has given Arsenal injury updates on Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori (Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))

Mikel Arteta has issued a triple Arsenal injury update ahead of facing Crystal Palace twice in the next three days. The Gunners have been hit by numerous key absences over the past few months with the return of Gabriel Magalhaes coming alongside a fresh Declan Rice worry.

After missing the last three games in all competitions, Gabriel returned to the starting XI against Everton and played the full 90 minutes. Rice and Martin Odegaard meanwhile, were both taken off just beyond the hour mark with Arteta confirming only one of those was tactical.

Four days on from that admission, Arteta offered the latest on Rice with this update far more positive, however it was not good news on two other players. “He’s fine,” he revealed. “We will make the decision on whether he’s available or not. Alex [Zinchenko] and Riccy [Riccardo Calafiori] will still be out of the squad for tomorrow.”

Calafiori had missed the same amount of action as Gabriel but did not feature against Everton with Arteta suggesting he is on the verge of returning but that Arsenal must also be careful. “We need a cage there because he wants to go out, train and play,” Arteta said recently. “We need to calm him down because he is so willing.

“It is the way he is, the way he plays. It started with the national team with a kick, then he had the knee issue. After that he lost a lot of things. Because of the injuries he had to play more than we wanted. And then he got the issue in his groin.”

Why Hansi Flick has given ‘completely broken’ Barcelona players two days off after Leganes defeat

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has responded to Sunday’s shock defeat to Leganes by giving his players two days off.

The players face Atletico Madrid next in a huge La Liga clash on Saturday night at Montjuic but won’t start preparing for the game until returning to work on Wednesday.

Flick decided to make the call after finding “a completely broken and sunken dressing room” after Sunday’s loss, according to Diario AS.

The German wants to “reset this negative cycle of feelings” and so has handed his players some extra rest before thinking about Atletico.

“They need a mental refresher,” is what Flick is believed to have said to his assistant Marcus Sorg about his players.

Barcelona’s coach is also thought to believe the team’s current patchy form is “more a mental issue than a physical one” and he will urge his team to change their mentality against Atletico.

‘Barca has always been my home’ – Alex Valle Breaks Celtic Loan Silence

Alex Valle has broken his silence on his time at Celtic, admitting that Barcelona has always been his home.

The Spaniard joined the Hoops on a one-year loan from the La Liga giants in the summer, with no option to buy.

While there were murmurs last month that his temporary spell at Parkhead might’ve come to an abrupt end, Valle looks set to stay in Glasgow’s east end until at least the end of the season.

He is battling it out with Greg Taylor for the left-back spot in Brendan Rodgers’ starting eleven.

The 20-year-old is yet to really nail down a place in the lineup, but he has impressed with most of his performances and is more than willing to get forward and help whoever is playing in front of him.

Valle brings a different dynamic to Taylor, and with the ex-Killie man still to put pen to paper on a new deal, Celtic currently have no senior left back due to be on the books at the beginning of next season.

It doesn’t, at this moment in time, look like Valle’s loan will be made permanent, although he is content in Glasgow: “Both I and the team in general are in very good dynamics,” he said (Mundo Deportivo).

“I am very happy, and I think the team is spectacular. It is a great prize (League Cup) to end the year.”

While Valle might be enjoying life with his loan club, his heart will always be in Catalonia. He said: “Barca has always been my home. This would be my eleventh season, so I have a special affection for it.

Lamine Yamal: “In five years I imagine myself at Barça, the club of my life, winning all possible titles”

Lamine Yamal recently made history by securing the Golden Boy 2024 Award on a margin never seen before.

Although Yamal was crowned the Golden Boy in late November, he could not attend the gala due to multiple reasons.

Instead, Massimo Franchi, a representative from the Italian newspaper, personally delivered the Golden Boy award to Lamine in Barcelona on Sunday.

Yamal after Golden Boy triumph

In the wake of the formal handover of the trophy, Yamal talked about various topics including his prospects at Barcelona and comparisons to Neymar.

“In five years I imagine myself at Barça, the club of my life, winning all possible titles. Hopefully, the Champions League, which is the title everyone wants to win. And with the national team, win the World Cup,” he said.

Yamal also talked about comparisons with former Barcelona superstar Neymar, something Joan Laporta had emphasised on.

“Neymar is one of the best wingers that Barça has had and he was one of my childhood idols. Hopefully, those parallels are true,” he said.

Yamal’s triumph at the Golden Boy gala reinforces Barcelona’s position as one of the prime destinations for youngsters, with the likes of Gavi and Pedri also winning the prestigious award in recent years.

Swap deal: Arsenal ready to use Gabriel Jesus to win race for intriguing transfer

Gabriel Jesus and Dusan Vlahovic (Photo by Alex Pantling, Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Arsenal are reportedly ready to try offering Gabriel Jesus to Juventus as part of their bid to win the race for Dusan Vlahovic.

The Gunners are eager to sign Vlahovic to bolster their options up front, which looks like a necessary move after the poor form of Jesus, while Kai Havertz’s form has also dipped in recent times.

Arsenal struggled to break down Everton in a frustrating 0-0 draw at the weekend, and at the moment it looks like their lack of goals could hurt them in the title race.

According to Fichajes, Arsenal are prepared to try offering Jesus as a makeweight in a deal for Vlahovic, which looks like it would surely be smart business.

The report suggests Juve would be open to negotiating for the Serbia international at the moment due to the fact that he’s yet to sign a new contract, with his current deal due to expire in summer 2026.

Dusan Vlahovic transfer: Is he Arsenal’s missing link in the title race?

Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus holding the ball before taking a penalty (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Vlahovic is also on Manchester United’s radar at the moment, and he’s clearly a fine player on his day, though some fans might have questions about his levels of consistency.

The 24-year-old has his strengths, but his numbers aren’t exactly spectacular, with 11 goals in 21 games in all competitions so far this season.

Man Utd are pretty desperate at the moment after the total lack of impact from Joshua Zirkzee since he joined in the summer, but Arsenal are chasing the title and some of their fans might feel they could do better.

Still, how many absolutely elite strikers are available in the middle of the season? Not many. Given Arsenal’s current problems up front, they might not have another chance to bring in the goal-scorer they need to revive their title hopes.