Arsenal welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates Stadium on Monday as the Gunners look to extend their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions.
After enduring their worst start to a Premier League season in more than six decades, Mikel Arteta‘s men have bounced back strongly with three wins and a draw in their last four league games.
Their uptick in form has moved the north London club up to 11th in the league, and also released some of the pressure on the Spaniard’s shoulders.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s rebuild has not gone according to plan thus far. The Eagles, who roped in a number of fresh faces in the summer, are languishing in 14th spot with just one win from seven games.
But, getting one over on his former club could be just what new Palace manager Patrick Vieira needs to kickstart his team’s campaign. However, that is easier said than done. The Eagles have failed to win any of their last five away matches in the Premier League, and were soundly beaten by the Gunners earlier this year.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace — Team News
Arsenal
Granit Xhaka will miss the game due to a knee injury. The Swiss international suffered the knock during the 3-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur and is expected to be sidelined until December.
Albert Sambi Lokonga is expected to retain his spot in the midfield alongside Thomas Partey. Arteta is unlikely to tinker with the defence that’s kept three clean sheets in their last four league games, meaning Takehiro Tomiyasu should start at right-back despite his dismal display at Brighton last time around.
Nicolas Pepe is in contention for a start after impressing for Ivory Coast during the international break. The mercurial winger could replace Bukayo Saka on the right flank.
Crystal Palace
Patrick Vieira will be without the services of Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson, who are both long-term absentees.
Michael Olise and Jeffrey Schlupp impressed off the bench last time out against Leicester City and could be handed a start.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace —Predicted Lineups
Arsenal Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Aaron Ramsdale; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Ben White, Kieran Tierney; Albert Sambi Lokonga, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard; Nicolas Pepe, Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Vicente Guaita; Joel Ward, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell; Conor Gallagher, Luka Milivojevic, James McArthur; Jeffrey Schlupp, Wilfried Zaha, Odsonne Edouard
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace — Key Players
Arsenal — Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Aubameyang has struggled for form this season, netting just twice in the league. But coming up against a fragile Palace backline could be just the catalyst he needs to turn his fortunes around. The Gabon international can trouble the likes of Guehi and Andersen with his pace and movement and if he can get the right kind of service from the Arsenal midfielders, he should be able to get his name on the scoresheet.
Crystal Palace — Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha will relish the prospect of taking on Arsenal’s new signing Takehiro Tomiyasu. The Japanese has done well in the few games he has featured for the Gunners, but facing off against a player of Zaha’s calibre will present a whole new challenge for the 22-year-old.
Zaha’s pace and trickery are a nightmare for most defenders to deal with and if the Ivorian can consistently get the better of Tomiyasu, Palace will fancy their chances of pulling off an upset.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
