What does an EFL Cup really mean to Mikel Arteta? The Arsenal manager is the latest to find himself in the bind that many an elite coach has faced over the past 20 years. This competition tends to draw them to extreme poles when it comes to construction of the starting XI.

Mikel Arteta has said winning the EFL Cup this season can have a transformative effect on Arsenal as they seek to establish themselves as serial trophy winners.

Mikel Arteta is under increasing pressure at Arsenal as the team struggles to live up to the expectations set in recent seasons. After finishing as runners-up

A piece of silverware that has long eluded both of these sides glitters in the distance as Arsenal prepare to welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates Stadium for Wednesday's EFL Cup quarterfinal. The Eagles have never so much as reached the final of this competition -- this is their first berth in the last eight since 2002-03 -- while plenty of Arsenal fans will never have seen their side lift a trophy they last won in 1993.

Amidst a busy December fixture list, Arsenal return home to face Crystal Palace in a midweek EFL Cup quarterfinal tilt on Wednesday.

Arsenal and Crystal Palace will go head-to-head in the EFL Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.