Predicted Arsenal Line-up To Face Crystal Palace In The Premier League
Arsenal will travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace in a mid-week Premier League encounter on Thursday. Since Roy Hodgson’s appointment as the manager of the Eagles, they have managed to gradually improve and are now on an 8-game unbeaten run. It will be quite challenging for the Gunners to manage to defeat them at home and Arsene Wenger’s men will have their work cut out. They recently succumbed to a 3-3 draw against Liverpool, which means they are likely to be determined to win 3 points in the upcoming game.
Team News
Olivier Giroud will be out for about a month with an injury, joining the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla on the sidelines. Nacho Monreal was subbed out of the Liverpool game but early team news suggests he should be fine for the game against Palace. Meanwhile, Shkodran Mustafi could make a comeback in this game.
Probable Arsenal XI
Formation: 3-4-3
Manager: Arsene Wenger
Petr Cech (GK)
Cech continues to be the main man in goal for Arsenal and after shipping in 3 goals against Liverpool, Wenger will need him to put on a more assured display against Palace.
Nacho Monreal (CB)
He was subbed off against Liverpool but could be handed a starting spot to face Palace on Thursday. His solidity at the back will be crucial to keep an unpredictable Palace attack at bay.
Laurent Koscielny (CB)
Koscielny started the season on a strong note but of late, his influence has diminished. However, he continues to be a strong defensive figure, which should see him start in his usual role against Palace.
Shkodran Mustafi (CB)
Likely to be back after missing out since the match against Manchester City, Mustafi will have quite a tough job to do on Thursday.
Sead Kolasinac (LWB)
Wenger could have quite a tough choice to make when it comes to selecting a left wing-back but Kolasinac is more experienced than Ainsley Maitland-Niles, which could prompt him to deploy the summer arrival ahead of the academy youngster.
Hector Bellerin (RWB)
Bellerin is likely to essay his usual role on Thursday but he will have to be at his best if Arsenal are to stop Palace.
Granit Xhaka (CM)
Xhaka continues to do his duty in the middle of the park but he needs to mend his wasteful ways if the Gunners are to do well.
Jack Wilshere (CM)
In Ramsey’s absence, Wilshere has truly stepped up to the plate and has worked quite well with Xhaka in the middle. His dominance will be crucial.
Alexis Sanchez (LW)
Sanchez has been far from his best but his influence up front continues to be a necessity and Wenger will hope he musters his old form against a resurgent Palace side.
Mesut Ozil (RW)
Ozil has made a remarkable improvement in the past couple of weeks and has established himself as one of Arsenal’s key players in terms of chance creation, thus making him a shoo-in for this spot.
Alexandre Lacazette (CF)
With Giroud out, there will be tremendous pressure on the Frenchman and he will be looking to get his name on the scoresheet against Palace.