Arsenal will go in search of their second win in as many Premier League games when they travel across London to face rivals Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday evening.
The Gunners got off their blocks in the new season with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend, where first-half strikes from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka proved decisive. Going by the nervous ending to the game after Forest halved the deficit eight minutes from time, Mikel Arteta will want his side to put in a better performance against Palace.
However, the Gunners should expect a stiff challenge from Crystal Palace, who head into the game on the back of a 1-0 away victory over newly-promoted Sheffield United.
Arsenal Team News
Arsenal have suffered a huge blow after scans have shown that summer signing Jurrien Timber has suffered a serious ACL injury. The Dutchman will undergo surgery and is likely to miss the entire season, confirmed by Mikel Arteta in his pre-match presser.
Gabriel Jesus is still sidelined with a knee problem but Oleksandr Zinchenko is now back in full training and will be available for selection very soon.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Crystal Palace (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Arsenal signed goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford earlier this week to compete with current No.1 Aaron Ramsdale. On Monday, though, Ramsdale is expected to start in goal against the Eagles.
Matchday ready đź’Ş pic.twitter.com/oZbls0t1lU
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 20, 2023
Defence
Oleksandr Zinchenko missed last weekend’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest due to a calf issue and his comeback would be a timely boost for Mikel Arteta, who has lost Jurrien Timber for the entire season with a serious knee injury. If deemed fully fit, Zinchenko should replace Timber at left-back.
Arteta may decide to reinstate Gabriel Magalhaes into the Arsenal lineup after he was benched against Forest for tactical reasons. If Gabriel is paired with William Saliba in central defence, Ben White should move back to right-back. The Arsenal back four, along with Ramsdale, have to be focused throughout the game to keep a clean sheet at Selhurst Park.
Midfield
As for the midfield department, Thomas Partey will return to his original position despite impressing in an unfamiliar right-back role against Forest. The Ghana international will join Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in the engine room, with the Gunners hoping to dominate possession as well as the midfield battles against Palace.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Crystal Palace
This means Kai Havertz will drop out of the Arsenal lineup, joining the likes of Jorginho, Leandro Trossard and Fabio Vieira on the bench.
Attack
Bukayo Saka was exceptional last weekend and scored a worldie against Forest. The English winger will bring the X-factor into the final third, where he will join Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli.
Martinelli was excellent as well, while Nketiah deputised well up top in Jesus’ injury absence with a goal. As the Arsenal front three is blessed with incredible pace, power and creativity, they could hurt Palace in one blink of an eye.
