Crystal Palace welcome Arsenal to Selhurst Park in a cross-London derby clash in Monday Night Football.
A win would see Palace climb to ninth in the table, whereas victory would see Arsenal regain fourth and move to within two points of third-placed Chelsea.
Team News
Michael Olise is a doubt for Crystal Palace after suffering a foot injury whilst on international duty for France Under-21s squad.
Nathan Ferguson, Wilfried Zaha (both hamstring) and James McArthur (knock) could also be in contention if match fit.
Arsenal could welcome Aaron Ramsdale back into contention after he missed their win at Aston Villa with a hip injury, which forced him to withdraw from England’s squad for last month’s international break.
Bukayo Saka (illness) is also set to be available for selection after recovering from Coronavirus, which forced him to withdraw from international duty for England after joining up with the squad.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) is a doubt.
Stat Attack
- Crystal Palace have lost just one of their last seven meetings against Arsenal (W1, D5, L1).
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last four visits to Selhurst Park (W2, D2), during which they scored three goals in both wins.
- Christian Benteke has scored in each of his last two appearances for Palace against Arsenal (D1, L1).
- Palace are looking to avoid two consecutive goalless draws in Premier League for the first time since late February-early March 2021, which came at home against Fulham and Manchester United respectively.
- Bukayo Saka has scored in each of Arsenal’s last two away matches (W2), with both of Saka’s goals coming in the 30th minute.
Prediction
Palace should have plenty of reasons to come into this match full of confidence after delivering a clinically ruthless FA Cup win over Everton last time out, in which they weathered early pressure calmly before their attacking quality shone through with Conor Gallagher in particularly influential.
Arsenal meanwhile were absolutely dominant in their win at Aston Villa just over two weeks ago with fantastic attacking play, which featured superb overlapping passing play and pace when on the ball whilst also defending well.
On that note, this match certainly could be a cracker especially if Conor Gallagher can dictate the tempo from within Palace’s midfield with Eberechi Eze plus potentially Olise and Zaha causing trouble in attack, yet Arsenal should have enough to match them.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners though could do with a win to realistically keep themselves in firm control of their top-four destiny, yet Palace have already caused trouble on a Monday evening for top teams after holding Manchester City to a goalless draw last month.
I am therefore plumping for a close draw here especially given the Eagles’ recent form against Arsenal.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Arsenal
Result: Crystal Palace 3-0 Arsenal
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