The games just seem to be getting bigger and bigger. I suppose that comes with being top of the league and being on a strong winning run. We’ve got some tough games after the international break so it seems absolutely important that we win all of these league games before the break and this is another really tricky game. Crystal Palace have been in fine form this season (this year really) and they have some really good players with the likes of Jean-Phlippe Mateta, Yeremy Pino and Ismalia Sarr to name a few, so Arsenal know that they really need to be on top form if they are to take all three points from this one.
Areas of encouragement
We’re on a good run at the moment and are fresh off a brilliant result against Atletico Madrid so confidence and momentum is high. I seem to mention this every time, but again, the continued strength in the defensive unit gives increasing confidence that we can get a positive result out of the game.
Areas of concern
Palace’s formation and flying wingbacks makes things a bit awkward as they will naturally have overloads during periods of the game and players like Munoz are really dangerous in these sorts of positions. Mateta is also in red hot form and needs to be closely marshalled to stop him adding to his goals tally this year.
What I’d love to see
A really professional job, that makes me think that I was worrying for no reason. These are the sorts of games that the really top teams in the league seem to make light work of, yet I’m still really nervous going into this one, so I’d like Arsenal to show me that I was worrying for nothing and take care of business with minimal fuss. I’d also love to see Viktor Gyokeres add to his goals against Atletico, to starting building some momentum.
What I’d hate to see
A flat Arsenal performance where we get overrun and not able to impose ourselves on the game. We’ve had tough games against Crystal Palace lately, where we’ve really struggled to get a foothold in the game so I’d hate to see a repeat of that.
Lineup and Team News
Mikel Arteta mentioned that Gabriel was doubtful for this one due to a small issue that brought him off against Atletico, but I still think he starts this one. I’m sure this happened with Gabriel a few weeks ago, where he went off in midweek yet started at the weekend, so I expect the same again. The rest of the team picks itself as I fully expect Riccardo Calafiori to return to the starting lineup so the defence will remain unchanged, same with the midifled, as the chance to rotate will likely come against Brighton in the League Cup on Wednesday. Up top, I think Gabriel Martinelli will be chosen ahead of Leandro Trossard, to give Calafiori a bit of cover against Munoz, with Bukayo Saka and Gyokeres continued on the right and upfront.
Predicted lineup:
Raya
Timber
Saliba
Gabriel
Calafiori
Zubimendi
Rice
Eze
Saka
Gyokeres
Martinelli
Substitues:
Kepa
Hincapie
White
Mosquera
Lewis-Skelly
Norgaard
Nwaneri
Trossard
PREDICTION
Not a game I’m particularly looking forward to so I’ll go for a narrow 1-0 to The Arsenal.