Carabao Cup quarter-final draw in full: Arsenal and Chelsea discover opponents in last eight

The Carabao Cup is reaching its most dramatic stage yet. Eight teams remain, and every one of them now dreams of lifting that shining silver trophy under the floodlights of Wembley. For Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Newcastle, this is not just another competition — it is a chance to make a statement, to prove dominance, and to silence every critic who has questioned their depth, hunger, or direction this season.

The quarter-final draw of the 2025/26 Carabao Cup has thrown up storylines that no football fan could have scripted better. London will once again be divided by football as Arsenal prepare to take on Crystal Palace in a fierce capital derby. Chelsea, on the other hand, face a trip to Wales where they will meet the only lower-league side left in the competition — the spirited League One club, Cardiff City.

At the same time, Manchester City will welcome Brentford to the Etihad Stadium in what promises to be another electrifying battle between two sides that love to attack, while the defending champions, Newcastle United, will host Fulham in a clash that brings back memories of their recent Premier League duel.

The draw has set the stage for four fascinating quarter-final battles — each with its own tension, revenge plots, and emotional background stories.

For Arsenal, everything right now feels like a dream. The Gunners are top of the Premier League, full of confidence, and playing the kind of football that makes the Emirates Stadium roar every week. Mikel Arteta’s young team has grown into something special, and their recent 2-0 victory over Brighton in the last 16 was yet another example of how far they’ve come. The night belonged to Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka, who both scored in the second half to seal Arsenal’s place among the final eight. It was their eighth win in a row across all competitions — and their sixth clean sheet in succession.

The Arsenal fans left the Emirates singing their hearts out that night, dreaming that this could finally be their season. The Carabao Cup may not be the most prestigious trophy, but for Arteta, every piece of silverware matters. He knows the pain of losing big games, the heartbreak of coming close but not close enough. And this time, with his team performing at such a high level, he wants to make sure Arsenal lift everything they can.

But the road to glory will not be easy. Their next opponent, Crystal Palace, are not just any opponent — they are the same side that shocked Liverpool in the previous round with a stunning 3-0 win at Anfield. Palace have struggled in the league, but in the Carabao Cup, they have been a completely different team — hungry, fearless, and ready to fight for every ball. Their win over Liverpool was not luck; it was domination. Arne Slot’s men made ten changes that night, and it cost them heavily as Palace played with power, pace, and purpose.

That result has now set up another London derby between Arsenal and Palace — just weeks after they met in the Premier League. In that game, Eberechi Eze produced a moment of magic with a bicycle-kick goal that stunned the Emirates and gave Palace a shock 1-0 win. That defeat hurt Arsenal deeply, and this upcoming cup tie gives them the perfect chance for revenge. Arteta’s players still remember the noise, the frustration, and the look on the Palace bench when the final whistle blew that day. Now they have a score to settle, and the Emirates will once again be the battleground.

Over in West London, Chelsea are writing a story of their own. After a rocky start to the season, the Blues are finally showing signs of recovery. Their 4-3 victory over Wolves in the round of 16 was chaotic, thrilling, and emotional — everything that defines Chelsea. They had to dig deep to survive that match, especially after striker Liam Delap was sent off late on his return from injury. But they held on, showing that fighting spirit that the fans had been demanding all season.

Their reward is a trip to face Cardiff City — the only EFL club still alive in the competition. Cardiff’s journey has been nothing short of a fairy tale. They beat Championship side Wrexham in a tense all-Welsh clash, surviving the pressure and silencing a passionate home crowd. For a club that dreams of promotion to the Championship, reaching the Carabao Cup quarter-final already feels like a trophy. But make no mistake, Cardiff are not here to make up the numbers. Playing Chelsea at home will be the biggest night the club has had in years, and the fans will pack the stadium, hoping for another miracle.

Chelsea last faced Cardiff in 2019 when both were still in the Premier League. Times have changed since then — for both clubs. Chelsea, under their new management, are trying to rebuild a new era of dominance with a blend of youth and experience. Every match now feels like a test of character. The Carabao Cup offers them a realistic path to silverware, something that could ignite confidence for the rest of their season.

Elsewhere, Manchester City are once again proving why they are a machine under Pep Guardiola. Even without their top scorer Erling Haaland, who missed the last-16 tie through injury, City came from behind to defeat Swansea 3-1. It was another display of strength and mentality — hallmarks of Guardiola’s era. They may have started slow, but once they found rhythm, there was no stopping them. Now, they will face Brentford, who demolished Grimsby 5-0 in their previous game.

The meeting between City and Brentford brings back memories of their dramatic league encounter earlier this season, where Haaland’s early strike made the difference. Brentford have caused big teams problems before — they know how to frustrate opponents and strike on the counter. But against a City side chasing trophies on every front, the Bees will need something extraordinary to survive at the Etihad. Guardiola’s men, motivated by their desire to reclaim every domestic crown, will not take this lightly.

And then, there’s Newcastle United — the holders. Last season’s Carabao Cup champions are desperate to defend their crown and show that their success was no fluke. They proved their strength again in round four with a solid 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, thanks to goals from Fabian Schar and Nick Woltemade. The Magpies are building something powerful under Eddie Howe — a mix of intensity, discipline, and unity.

Their next challenge is Fulham, who reached the quarter-finals after surviving a penalty shootout against Wycombe. That game tested Fulham’s nerves; after a 1-1 draw, they kept their composure from the spot to secure a dramatic win. Now they must travel to St. James’ Park — one of the loudest and most intimidating grounds in England — to face the reigning champions.

The twist? Just last weekend, these two sides met in the Premier League. It was a tight and emotional contest decided by a late Bruno Guimaraes goal after Jacob Murphy’s opener was cancelled out by Sasa Lukic. Fulham played bravely, but Newcastle’s late surge broke their hearts. Now, just days later, they meet again in a competition that could change both of their seasons.

For Newcastle, it’s a chance to march toward back-to-back Carabao Cup triumphs — something that would mark a historic moment for the club. For Fulham, it’s an opportunity to write a new story of their own, one built on resilience and belief.

The Carabao Cup may not have the same prestige as the Premier League or the Champions League, but for many players and managers, it represents hope, momentum, and the possibility of something special. For young talents like Nwaneri, Delap, and others, it’s a chance to shine on the big stage. For clubs like Cardiff and Brentford, it’s a journey that inspires fans and reminds them why they love football in the first place.

For Arsenal, this is about dominance — showing that their title push in the Premier League is no fluke. For Chelsea, it’s about redemption after months of uncertainty. For Manchester City, it’s about maintaining their empire and proving they are still England’s unstoppable force. For Newcastle, it’s about pride and legacy.

And for Crystal Palace, Brentford, Cardiff, and Fulham, it’s about belief — that one great night of football can change everything.

As December approaches, the tension grows. Fans across England are already marking their calendars, waiting for the nights that will decide who reaches Wembley. The Carabao Cup has always had a reputation for delivering drama — and this year, it feels more unpredictable than ever.

The official quarter-final draw is as follows:

• Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
• Cardiff vs Chelsea
• Manchester City vs Brentford
• Newcastle vs Fulham

Every tie tells a story. Every game carries emotion. Every player stepping onto that pitch knows that a place in the semi-final could define their season. The road to glory is open — but only four teams will take that next step.

As the floodlights prepare to shine again and the winter nights grow colder, English football braces itself for more drama, passion, and unforgettable moments. The Carabao Cup quarter-finals are not just another round — they are the start of a new chapter in one of the most exciting cup seasons in years.

For now, all eyes turn to London, Manchester, and Newcastle — where dreams, rivalries, and redemption will collide once again.