Arsenal will be eager to move back into the Premier League top four this weekend, they will have to beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park to achieve that though. Arsene Wenger's men are currently one point behind Southampton in fifth place, but they have lost their direct meetings both with the Saints and London rivals Tottenham.
Crystal Palace have lost at Arsenal on the opening day of the season but things have changed since then. Alan Pardew replaced Tony Pulis as manager and Palace have won five out of their eight matches under the new boss, including a success against Tottenham. They are now five points clear of the relegation zone.
Alan Pardew will have to do without Arsenal loanee Yaya Sanogo but former Gunners forward Marouane Chamakh should play alongside Campbell in attack. Captain Mile Jedinak is still out with an ankle injury while Jerome Thomas, Lee Chung-yong and Shola Ameobi are also on the injured list. Arsenal will be without Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere, so youngster Francis Coquelin might be given a starting place in midfield.
Probable line-ups:
Crystal Palace: Speroni - Ward, Hangeland, Dann, Souare - Puncheon, McArthur, Ledley, Bolasie - Chamakh, Campbell
Arsenal: Ospina - Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal - Coquelin, Cazorla - Ozil, Sanchez, Welbeck - Giroud
My prediction: 2-2 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Crystal Palace win - 15/4 Draw - 11/4 Arsenal win - 5/6
mdacic 9 years ago
It was great win by Arsenal. They didn't play very well but they won and that is all about. They earned new three points and that is most important in their race for fourth place and champions league but tomorrow they have very important match in champions league against Monaco and I think that they are thinking now only...
It was great win by Arsenal. They didn't play very well but they won and that is all about. They earned new three points and that is most important in their race for fourth place and champions league but tomorrow they have very important match in champions league against Monaco and I think that they are thinking now only about that.
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timidi 9 years ago
Arsenal scored two early goals and later they focus on defense. They concede one and Crystal Palace had great chance in additional time to get a draw but they only hit a post. Crystal palace was better in second half and I think that they are deserved at least one point. But they lost and this is big win and big three points...
Arsenal scored two early goals and later they focus on defense. They concede one and Crystal Palace had great chance in additional time to get a draw but they only hit a post. Crystal palace was better in second half and I think that they are deserved at least one point. But they lost and this is big win and big three points for Arsenal in their race for Champions league.
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sharpe 9 years ago
This is a London derby and you never know in this games although Arsenal is in pretty good shape in the moment. The battle for the top four is furious this season and every point will count in the end. Palace are not a bad team with decent players, they don't have big targets in the league except to stay in it.
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timidi 9 years ago
@Shumar4life I don't think that Arsenal is huge favorite here, Crystal Palace is good team and special at home they can archive at least draw against every team in Premier league. They have some great players and former Arsenal player Chamakh and I really think that they can give a lot of problems to Arsenal today. Arsenal...
@Shumar4life I don't think that Arsenal is huge favorite here, Crystal Palace is good team and special at home they can archive at least draw against every team in Premier league. They have some great players and former Arsenal player Chamakh and I really think that they can give a lot of problems to Arsenal today. Arsenal is in good form but I think that today they can't win all three points.
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h34dhunt3r 9 years ago
The fact that Arsenal is loosing battle for 4th place which takes them to Champions League makes me think that they wont do any misteps versus teams like Crystal Palas. Crystal Palas already archived their goal this season which is staying in Premier League. My guess X-2 and 1:3 for Arsenal.
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Shumar4life 9 years ago
Arsenal is huge favorite on this match, and they must wins this kind of games if they want to secure their place in Champions league in next season too. They will have tough match in Champions league next week, so they could rest some players, but i believe that they have enough quality to beat CP away
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seculla 9 years ago
Crystal Palace are 13th on the table and I think that their goal for this season is to stay in Premier League for the next season too, and I must say that they are playing well. On the other side, Arsenal have a very strong attack and middle, and if you ask me, I see their problem in their defense. Arsenal are playing against...
Crystal Palace are 13th on the table and I think that their goal for this season is to stay in Premier League for the next season too, and I must say that they are playing well. On the other side, Arsenal have a very strong attack and middle, and if you ask me, I see their problem in their defense. Arsenal are playing against Monaco on Wednesday and despite Monaco's bad season I think that that will be tough match for both sites. Anyway, despite this fact, Arsenal will fight until the end with other teams in Premier League for those spots on the table that are taking to Champions League for the next season, so I think that Arsenal must, and will win tomorrow at Selhurst Park.
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