With Arsenal facing a crucial must-win match against Crystal Palace, Arsene Wenger knows that there is no scope for any slip-ups at this point of the season. Especially with both Manchester City and Liverpool winning over the weekend, the only course of action for Arsenal is to notch up a win against Crystal Palace. However, that will be easier said than done when the Gunners face their London rival Crystal Palace under the stewardship of Big Sam.
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Preview
Team News
Crystal Palace- The biggest miss for manager Sam Allardyce going into this huge London derby would be midfielder Yohan Cabaye. The 31-year-old was seen taken off midway in Palace’s loss to Southampton as he picked up a calf strain. The French international has been significant in Palace’s reviving run of late providing the perfect sponge for a swift transition from defence to attack in the midfield.
While left wing Bakary Sako took his place in the last game, we expect former Arsenal player, Mathieu Flamini to replace him alongside Luka Milivojevic. Apart from Cabaye, Palace’s injury list includes centre-halves Scott Dann and James Tomkins, left-back Pape Souare and strikers Fraser Campbell and Connor Wickham.
Winter recruit Patrick van Aanholt also has a high chance of missing out on the big game with an ankle injury. A positive return could be that of central midfield James McArthur. although the manager is unlikely to rush him. Joe Ledley is available again after missing the last game.
Arsenal- Emiliano Martinez will keep his place between the sticks. The third-choice Gunners goalie has taken the reins well in the absence of both Petr Cech and David Ospina, who are sidelined with calf and back injury respectively. Neither of the duos will be fit for the trip to Selhurst Park.
Apart from them, Arsene Wenger will continue to miss skipper Laurent Koscielny, whose return remains undetermined as he struggles with his Achilles problem. Brazilian centre-half, Gabriel Paulista is expected to take his place. Dynamic forward, Lucas Perez remains sidelined with his thigh injury and is expected to return soon.
No new injuries apart from that as Arsenal get back Francis Coquelin for the tricky trip, who missed the West Ham United fixture owing to a personal matter.
Predicted Line-ups
Crystal Palace- Hennessey; Ward, Delaney, Sakho, Schlupp; Milivojevic, Flamini; Zaha, Puncheon, Townsend; Benteke
Arsenal- Martinez; Bellerin, Gabriel, Mustafi, Monreal; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin; Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck
Key Players
Crystal Palace- The two most in-form players for Crystal Palace have been forward Christian Benteke and winger Wilfred Zaha. There are 17 goals and 11 assists between them and Arsenal would be wary of the threat the duo poses. In the absence of an experienced centre-half like Koscielny, Benteke could exploit Gabriel from aerial duels repeatedly.
Arsenal- Alexis Sanchez, without a doubt, would be Arsenal’s biggest weapon. The Chilean has bagged 18 goals in the league so far, and 12 of them have come away from Emirates. Wenger would be hoping that his away form continues in this fixture.
Odds
Crystal Palace @ 4.50
Draw @ 3.90
Arsenal @ 1.83
