Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from a three-game losing streak as they face London rivals Crystal Palace in the Premier League. After a two-week break, both teams will be eager to secure a victory and improve their positions in the table.
Match Preview:
Arsenal’s attacking woes have been evident during the festive period, resulting in their drop from the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta’s side has struggled to convert opportunities into goals, leading to consecutive defeats against West Ham United, Fulham, and Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Arteta acknowledges that his team may be facing a mental block when it comes to finishing chances. With calls from fans for a new number nine, Arsenal will rely on their current squad to pull themselves out of this offensive rut.
Crystal Palace also faced disappointment in the FA Cup, drawing with Everton and subsequently losing in the replay.
The team’s lack of killer instinct was evident in their struggles to find the back of the net. Despite a recent victory against Brentford, Palace has gone nine league matches without keeping a clean sheet.
They have also suffered defeat in their last three encounters with Arsenal, although the margins have been close.
Team News:
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber is making progress in his recovery from an ACL injury but is still not ready for a first-team return.
Thomas Partey and Fabio Vieira are expected to be back next month, while Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mohamed Elneny, and Oleksandr Zinchenko’s availability remains uncertain.
Rob Holding will miss the reunion with his former club due to an ankle problem, and Michael Olise is still recovering from a thigh injury.
Crystal Palace will be without Cheick Doucoure, Joel Ward, and Jordan Ayew due to injuries and AFCON commitments.
Possible Lineups:
Arsenal: (4-3-3)
Raya;
White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko;
Odegaard, Rice, Havertz;
Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Crystal Palace: (4-4-2)
Henderson;
Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell;
Eze, Richards, Lerma, Schlupp;
Edouard, Mateta
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace
Considering Arsenal’s recent struggles in front of goal, a break from action could prove beneficial for the team. The expected return of Gabriel Jesus will add firepower to their attack.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace’s offensive deficiencies are likely to continue without the injured Michael Olise. Fatigue from midweek fixtures may also affect their performance.
