Arsenal v Crystal Palace preview, predictions & possible XIs
Arsenal will aim to bounce back from Monday’s 1-0 reverse at Bramall Lane when they host a Crystal Palace side sitting just one point below them in the Premier League table on Sunday.
If Unai Emery was hoping to banish the poor performance against Sheffield United with an emphatic showing verses Vitoria de Guimaraes on Thursday, he was sadly left wanting. The Gunners put in another sub-par showing and were grateful to get the win thanks to a late Nicolas Pepe double.
Things are not much better in the Premier League for Emery, who has seen his side win just twice in the last seven games and although that run has come at the expense of just two defeats, the ambitions of the supporters are still not being met.
Palace have been excellent so far this season, taking 11 points from 21 at home and winning two of their four away fixtures. This will be a big ask for Roy Hodgson and his side but they’ve already shown what they’re capable of after beating Manchester United at Old Trafford back in August.
It should be a decent London derby and one that could see more pressure heaped on the Arsenal boss should Palace cause an upset.
When is Arsenal vs Crystal Palace and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Date: Sunday, 27 October 2019
Kick-off: 4:30 PM BST
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
21 April 2019: Arsenal 2-3 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
28 October 2018: Crystal Palace 2-2 Arsenal (Premier League)
20 January 2018: Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
28 December 2017: Crystal Palace 2-3 Arsenal (Premier League)
10 April 2017: Crystal Palace 3-0 Arsenal (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Arsenal (LDWWL) 11-11 Crystal Palace (WDLLW)
Ones to watch
Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
In what has been a difficult start to the season for Arsenal, one bright light is the form of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon international has been sensational, banging home seven goals in nine Premier League appearances so far.
The striker was rested in the Europa League tie against Vitoria de Guimaraes on Thursday, so will have plenty of energy to continue his onslaught in the English top-flight.
Key stat: Aubameyang has taken more shots per game (2.9) than any other Arsenal player this season.
Crystal Palace: Wilfried Zaha
Palace remain reliant on their stand out talent, Wilfried Zaha. The winger has been excellent again this season for the Eagles and it’s no surprise he was linked with several big clubs over the summer.
His pace and dribbling ability have been key to Palace’s good start to the campaign and he could give Sead Kolasinac a tough time down Arsenal’s left on Sunday.
Even so, Hodgson will want more production from his star man, who is yet to score in the top-flight this season and has only registered one assist, but that will surely change if he carries on playing the way he has so far.
Key stat: Zaha has completed an average of 4.9 successful take-ons per game in the Premier League this season, more than any other player.
Team news
Arsenal
Arsenal are not thought to have any injury concerns with the exception of Reiss Nelson, who misses out with a knee injury.
Alexandre Lacazette made his return to competitive action against Sheffield United after suffering on-going ankle issues from the summer. He is expected to be fully fit for the visit of Palace.
Whether there is a place in the starting XI for Mesut Ozil remains to be seen but fans are growing increasingly frustrated by the German’s lack of game time.
Predicted XI: Leno; Chambers, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac; Guendouzi, Xhaka; Pepe, Willock, Saka; Aubameyang.
Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.
Crystal Palace
Vicente Guaita and Martin Kelly face late fitness tests after both missed last week’s defeat to Manchester City. James Tomkins and Wayne Hennessey may be drafted in to deputise once more.
Hodgson will also be missing long-term absentees Connor Wickham and Mamadou Sakho.
Predicted XI: Hennessey; Ward, Tomkins, Cahill, Van Aanholt; Zaha, Kouyate, Milivojevic, McArthur, Schlupp; Ayew.
Squawka prediction
With Arsenal looking about as confident in not conceding as a chocolate bar does at not being eaten at a weight loss seminar, you can expect Palace to at least threaten scoring at some point. But the Gunners should be able to find the net themselves with goals not necessarily being the problem for Emery’s side.
Palace can struggle against sides that break with pace but they have also shown a resilient streak this season when beating both Man United and West Ham on their travels.
Zaha’s trickery and Palace’s defensive organisation will play a big part in this one but we expect Arsenal to squeak home here.
Scoreline prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
