After a thrilling 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, Arsenal shifts focus back to the Premier League with a Saturday night clash at Selhurst Park. Mikel Arteta’s side aims to regain momentum following last weekend’s goalless draw with Everton, while Crystal Palace looks to bounce back and extend their unbeaten league run.
Arsenal’s Recent Form
Arsenal showcased their attacking prowess midweek, with Gabriel Jesus’ hat-trick leading the Gunners to a hard-fought win at the Emirates Stadium. Despite conceding an early goal to Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eddie Nketiah’s late equalizer capped a pulsating contest that highlighted Arsenal’s resilience.
Arteta remains cautious ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park, noting the challenges posed by Oliver Glasner’s well-organized side. Reflecting on the upcoming encounter, Arteta said:
“Obviously, we played recently and analyzed them, so we don’t have to do that too much. I’m sure that both teams will adjust a few things and probably change some personnel as well. The difficulty of the game remains the same – we know what it’s like to go to Selhurst Park and we have prepared for that.”
Arsenal’s squad is boosted by the availability of Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, and possibly Oleksandr Zinchenko. However, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are sidelined with knee injuries.
Crystal Palace’s Resilience
Crystal Palace, currently 15th in the league table, will be eager to avenge their midweek defeat. Despite their position, Palace’s recent form has been promising, with an unbeaten run of five games in all competitions before the Carabao Cup loss.
Manager Oliver Glasner emphasized the need for improvement, saying:
“We could see the quality of Arsenal, especially in the second half, how quickly they can move the ball and make runs. From these games, you can learn a lot. Playing against top teams is a big chance to improve, and we aim to show that now within three days.”
However, the Eagles face significant absences, including Eberechi Eze, who is recovering from a foot injury sustained against Brighton. Glasner confirmed that Eze is not 100% and will sit out this match but is expected to return against Bournemouth. Additionally, Daniel Munoz is suspended, while Joel Ward, Franco Umeh-Chibueze, Adam Wharton, Matheus França, and Chadi Riad remain unavailable
due to various fitness issues.
Key Players to Watch
Arsenal:
Gabriel Jesus: Fresh from a hat-trick, Jesus will be pivotal in breaking down Palace’s defense.
Declan Rice: Returning to the squad, his midfield presence will be crucial for Arsenal’s control.
Crystal Palace:
Jean-Philippe Mateta: The powerful forward continues to trouble defenses and will be a focal point for Palace.
Sam Johnstone: Palace’s shot-stopper will need to be at his best to thwart Arsenal’s attacking threats.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal: Raya; Zinchenko, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Crystal Palace: Johnstone; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Doucouré, Hughes; Ayew, Schlupp, Olise; Mateta.
Final Thoughts
This clash promises to be a high-energy affair, with Arsenal looking to consolidate their top-four position and Palace determined to climb the table. Selhurst Park’s electrifying atmosphere will add to the intensity, setting the stage for a fascinating encounter.
Follow Big Boys Soccer Talks for post-match analysis and the latest updates on Arsenal and Crystal Palace’s Premier League campaigns.
