Arsenal look to strengthen their title ambitions against London rivals, Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium.
Victory would see Arsenal move eight points clear of second placed Manchester City, whilst…………
Team News
William Saliba is a doubt for Arsenal after he suffered a back injury during the Gunners’ Europa League exit against Sporting Lisbon in midweek.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to be ruled out after he suffered a serious knee injury against Sporting.
Mohammed Elneny (knee) and Eddie Nketiah (ankle) remain absent.
Palace will be without Albert Sambi Lokonga who is ineligible due to terms of his loan move from Arsenal.
Will Hughes, James McArthur (both illness) and Nathan Ferguson (fitness) are doubts.
Vicente Guaita (hamstring) and Sam Johnstone (calf) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Arsenal host Palace at Emirates Stadium in a 2pm GMT kick-off on Sunday 19 March, albeit untelevised in UK.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have lost just one of their last seven meetings against Crystal Palace (W2, D4, L1).
- Palace are unbeaten in each of their last four visits to Arsenal (W1, D3).
- Arsenal have kept just one clean sheet in their last five home matches against Palace, which came in a goalless draw in January 2021.
- Miikel Arteta’s Gunners have kept just one clean sheet in their last six home matches in all competitions (W3, D2, L1).
- Palace have failed to win any of their five away matches in 2023 (D1, L4).
Prediction
Having made several changes for Thursday’s tough Europa League exit against Sporting in which they wasted too many chances, Arsenal certainly should be eager to produce a response because they have a huge chance to put more pressure on Man City in the title race.
Fitness though could become an issue in the closing stages following extra-time and penalties on Thursday evening, so it is crucial that Arsenal get the job done in the first hour if are to claim three points.
Palace meanwhile will have a point to prove after Patrick Vieira’s sacking following their disastrous run so far in 2023, yet they looked more confident in their midweek loss at Brighton but wasteful end product cost them at least a draw.
Now if the Eagles expect a bounceback from Vieira’s departure then I just don’t see it coming here, especially if Arsenal are at their best but their recent form at the Emirates has been decent, so if Palace can defensively frustrate the Gunners and are clinical then a draw might be possible.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
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