After taking a two-goal lead in their last premier league game against West Ham United, Arsenal slipped and unfortunately drew the game. Andy Caroll got the better of Arsenal’s defenders and was able to score a hattrick and because of this, Leicester and Tottenham were able to extend their lead.
Arsenal are currently 13 points behind the leaders and 6 points behind Tottenham and their title race is almost over now. In their next game, Wenger will be entertaining Alan Pardew’s struggling Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace, in their last game, drew to Everton and settled down with a precious point.
Crystal Palace are currently 10 points safe of the relegation and are 3 points behind Bournemouth. A win would take Alan Pardew to the 11th spot. It will be a tough task for Pardew and their recent head to head stat doesn’t support the team as well.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Team News-
Wenger revealed the latest team news ahead of their clash against Palace and stated:
“From last Saturday’s game against West Ham, we should have everyone available who was in the squad.”
Wilshere and Rosicky played for the under-21s on Thursday and might be available for the next game.
Cazorla and Chamberlain are still a doubt for the club.
For Palace, Gayle, who was Forced off at the break during the clash with Everton will be available for the team.
James McArthur still remains a doubt for the club and their defender Hangeland, might also join Gayle in their next game.
Lineups:
Arsenal-
Cech
Bellerin; Mertesacker; Koscielny; Monreal
Coquelin; Elneny
Ozil; Iwobi; Sanchez
Welbeck
Crystal Palace-
Hennessey
Delany; Dann; Soare; Ward
Zaha, Jedniak; Cabaye; Puncheon
Bolasie; Adebayor
Tactics-
Pardew know and understand very well that, how Arsenal was unable to cope with towering headers of Andy Caroll. Keeping that in mind, their Centre-back Scott Dann will be assigned a top priority task while the set pieces. To prevent that caution, Arsenal must give Mertesacker the job to keep Dann silent.
Palace is a threat at counter attacks and their formation is usually 4-2-3-1, this is the only source (besides set-pieces) Palace can score. Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha are the tricky wingers and can combine well with Bolasie in counter attacks. Also, Palace have played more crosses than any other Premier League side this season and to fully capitalize the chances from the crosses, Adebayor can be used to head the ball into the back of the net.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are famous for their one-to-one passing and we have seen what they can do through that. Arsenal cannot rely much on the crossing game because both Welbeck and Sanchez will be out muscled in the air by Palace’s defender. As they did it on several occasions, they can cut down the defence through their pace to score the goal.
Key Stats-
– Arsenal have won 10 and lost just one of their 13 Barclays Premier League matches against Crystal Palace, including victories in the last six.
– The Gunners have won none of their three London derbies at home in the league this season (D1 L2).
– Crystal Palace have taken fewer points in London derbies (four) than any other club this term.
– Olivier Giroud has scored in three of his four BPL starts against the Eagles
The last time Palace defeated Arsenal was back in 1994/95 season since then, the teams had only 2 draws between them.
Prediction-
Arsenal have been so inconsistent lately, won just 2 out of their last 6 games. Defeating Palace won’t be a difficult task for Wenger but have to defend well against Palace’s strikers
3-0 Arsenal