Arsenal are back in Premier League action for the first time this year on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were last in Premier League action on New Year’s Eve as they fell to a 2-1 away defeat to London rivals Fulham, and they have since been knocked out of the FA Cup by Liverpool. A three-game winless run in the league has seen them drop to fourth.
A warm-weather training camp in Dubai could prove to be the ideal tonic for Mikel Arteta’s boys who desperately want to return to winning ways against Crystal Palace, who were knocked out of the FA Cup by Everton in the third-round replay in midweek.
Arsenal Team News
Gabriel Jesus is expected to be welcomed back by Arsenal after the striker missed out of the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool with a minor knee problem.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has missed the last two games due to a calf injury and will be assessed, but the likes of Thomas Partey, Fabio Vieira and Jurrien Timber remain sidelined.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Crystal Palace (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale performed well in Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Liverpool. Still, in all likelihood, David Raya should return in goal for Crystal Palace’s visit to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Defence
With Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber both absent, Jakub Kiwior will continue at left-back if Oleksandr Zinchenko isn’t deemed available for selection. Ben White should retain his right-back position, while William Saliba will continue his centre-back partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes.
Arsenal’s defensive quartet have to stay alert from the first whistle of the game to the last to keep a fast counter-attacking Crystal Palace side at bay.
Midfield
In the centre of the park, Declan Rice will look to take control of the game as quickly as possible. Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are likely to join Rice in the engine room, and the trio together will hope to dictate the tempo of play and break Crystal Palace’s attacks.
Jorginho and Emile Smith Rowe will be vying for some action off the bench.
Attack
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli should take their natural spots on the right and left-wing, respectively. The duo will look to use their pace, dribbling skills and movement to cause problems for the Eagles’ backline. The onus will be on them to provide the spark in attack and create chances for their No.9 Gabriel Jesus in the box.
If the Gunners need fresh legs in attack, Arteta could bring on Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard off the bench.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
