Crystal Palace host Arsenal tonight in the final game of the Premier League game week 2 in what will prove to be a pulsating encounter. Eberechi Eze was on fire in Crystal Palace’s opening fixture against Sheffield United, taking eight shots and creating seven chances, and he was on all set pieces, taking him to talismanic status from the departed Wilfried Zaha.
Arsenal and Crystal Palace won their opening fixtures with slender leads and will lock horns in this London derby to move further up the table. Crystal Palace’s record against Arsenal is quite poor, with the Eagles winning just one of their last eight encounters with the Gunners. Last season, Arsenal did the double over Crystal Palace, winning 2-0 in Selhurst Park and thrashing Palace 4-1 in the return fixture at the Emirates. However, Crystal Palace have won three of their 23 league home matches against Arsenal, drawing eight and losing 12, with two of those victories coming in the Premier League.
In his pre-Crystal Palace press conference, Arsenal gaffer, Mikel Arteta, had some great words to say about the Eagles’ boss, Roy Hodgson,
“Hats off to him. I told him personally when I saw him last week. It’s not only what he’s done, it’s how he’s done it. He’s so natural and he’s still so humble, so intelligent and the way he manages the team, the results that he’s having – it’s just excellent.
“He’s somebody to look very closely at of how he’s done it because it’s amazing what he’s done. If we are invited, we have a drink together because it’s always fascinating to listen to him and the people that have been alongside him for a long time because they’re the ones that know him really well.”
Crystal Palace managed to turn Selhurst Park into a fortress last season, as they only lost five times at home throughout the season and took 11 points from the final 15 on offer in front of their home fans. However, it’s worth noting that Arsenal had the best away record in the top flight last season, claiming 39 points from a possible 57.
To team news, Arsenal will be without Jurrien Timber who will be out for a considerable chunk of the season, while Mohamed Elneny and Gabriel Jesus still recuperating from their knee injury. Oleksandr Zinchenko is still making his comeback from his calf problem and this game might come too soon for him. For Crystal Palace, Michael Olise finally signed off a long-term contract to ward off the interest from Chelsea, but he’s still nursing a hamstring injury. Their new signing, Matheus Franca, is nursing a back problem, while Will Hughes and Malcolm Ebiowei are still out.
Crystal Palace and Arsenal Predicted Lineups
Crystal Palace: Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Doucoure, Lerma; Ayew, Eze, Schlupp; Edouard
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Rice, Partey, Odegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Saka.
Injury / Suspension Updates
Crystal Palace: Michael Olise (hamstring), Matheus Franca (back), Will Hughes (knee), Malcom Ebiowei (lack of match fitness)
Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus, Mo Elneny, Jurrien Timber (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (lack of match fitness)
Form Guide
Crystal Palace
- Last Five Games: W L D W W
- Last Result: Sheffield United 0-1 Crystal Palace (Edouard 49′)
- Leading Goalscorer: Odsonne Edouard (1)
Arsenal Form
- Last Five Games: L W D D W
- Last Result: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City (Nketiah 26′, Saka 32′ | Awoniyi 82?)
- Leading Goalscorer: Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka (1)
Gooner Daily predicts a 3 – 1 win.
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