Arsenal fans welcome their team’s festive period of fixtures with a sense of finality in terms of watching Alexis Sanchez don the Gunners jersey. Although no concrete report has come out linking the Chilean away with a move from The Emirates, many believe that the dynamic winger’s days at North London are numbered.
The Gunners fans will still want to see Sanchez in full flow one last time if he does end up leaving come January 1st. Sanchez was on hand to score one of the three goals in the pulsating draw against Liverpool but the Chilean was far from his elements and a clash against a struggling side Crystal Palace might just allow Sanchez to weave his magic one last time.
With Wenger understanding the need to win the match and collect all three points to keep up with the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur for a European spot, the Frenchman is likely to field a strong side. Both Liverpool and Spurs hammered five goals past their opponents leaving Arsenal no chance to slip up for their clash against Crystal Palace.
This is how Wenger will look to set his team up for the trip to Selhurst Park –
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence
The experienced figure of Petr Cech is expected to turn up in goal for the Gunners. Shkodran Mustafi can be expected to make his first start since the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United and the German will be partnered in the heart of the Arsenal defence by Laurent Koscielny. Hector Bellerin will once again be the man at right back for Wenger.
With Nacho Monreal unsure for the fixture after limping out against Liverpool and Ainsley Maitland-Niles having played over the weekend, Sead Kolasinac can be expected to return to the starting line-up at left-back despite being in poor form.
Midfield
Jack Wilshere will be once the again the man in the middle of the park after impressing against Liverpool and he will be partnered by the inconsistent Granit Xhaka at the base. Playing ahead of them in the number 10 role will be none other than Mesut Ozil and the German will be flanked by Alex Iwobi on the right and Alexis Sanchez in his usual left wing position.
Attack
With Olivier Giroud out injured, Wenger will stick to having Alexandre Lacazette up top as his number 9. Danny Welbeck can be expected to come off the bench in place of Lacazette later should the result be in Arsenal’s favour to give the Frenchman some much-needed rest.
