Arsenal are set for a stern test of character as they host a Crystal Palace side who have been subdued in their performances of late.

Arsenal continued to grow in stature after yet another impressive victory earlier this week as they swept aside Spanish giants Atletico Madrid at the Emirates ahead of the visit of Crystal Palace on Sunday. The UEFA Champions League clash with Atletico was billed as possibly one of the most pragmatic watches this campaign, but the Gunners came through with flying colours with a 4-0 win.

Yet another set-piece goal opened the game up for the Gunners as Gabriel Magalhaes’s opener was the catalyst for a top-notch display. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and a brace from Viktor Gyokeres proved enough to secure a top-drawer victory that allowed the Gunners to hold a dominant position in the Champions League standings.

In the Premier League, the Gunners are currently three points clear at the top following their victory over Fulham last weekend. They now take on a Crystal Palace side who could pose a big threat to their current run, as Mikel Arteta will hope there’s no repeat of last season’s reverse fixture at the Emirates, where the two teams drew 2-2.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are not in the best run of form, but they are still considered one of the in-form teams in the Premier League, particularly after their performance last weekend. Back then, they played another in-form side in Bournemouth, who took a two-goal lead and appeared to be running away with the game.

However, Crystal Palace staged a comeback through goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta, but a late goal from the Cherries deflated the Selhurst Park mood. However, it was the Frenchman who converted a late penalty and had a glorious chance to score his fourth to seal the game in Crystal Palace’s favour, but that wasn’t meant to be.

Palace returned to European action in midweek at Selhurst Park, but were shocked by the Cypriot side AEK Larnaca. The minnows managed to hold on to their lead secured early in the second half, as Oliver Glasner’s men’s dominant performance on the pitch did not bring any joy. After going on an incredible 19-game unbeaten streak, the Eagles are winless in their last three, which will be concerning to their manager.

Team News & Tactics

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is widely expected to name a similar lineup that played against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, except for a few players. For instance, Gabriel came off with a thigh problem, with the Arsenal boss stating the defender had not trained with the squad ahead of game against Crystal Palace.

Should the Brazilian not be deemed fit enough to play on Sunday, Cristhian Mosquera should come in as his replacement. Arteta also has Piero Hincapie as an option, but the Ecuadorian defender has barely played since joining the North London club. He could be an option off the bench at some stage of the game, but surely not a starter at this point.

The other possible change might be the return of Riccardo Calafiori in place of the impressive Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back. The likes of Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, and Martin Odegaard are not expected to return on this side of the international break as they continue to recover from their respective knee problems.

A midfield setup of Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice will continue for Arsenal, while Eberechi Eze will continue to cover for Odegaard in the attacking midfield role. There might be another change if Arteta deems it necessary, as Leandro Trossard might join Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka in the attack, replacing goalscorer Gabriel Martinelli on the left-hand side of the front three.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres

Crystal Palace

Oliver Glasner does have the luxury of naming a strong team, but his selections have been consistent, and those players may need rest at some stage. Given this is still the late early part of the season, the Austrian tactician will hope his stars have the legs in them to play another intense game.

Caleb Kporha, Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure are the only absentees in the squad through injury issues. There might be a few changes, namely at the back, with central defender Jaydee Convot, who arrived in the summer, having a game to forget in the midweek UEFA Europa League tie.

Chris Richards should undoubtedly come in for Canvot to join up with regular partners Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi in a back three. Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell will assume their customary wing-back roles, while Glasner will continue to use Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada in his midfield setup.

Former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah might be a fixture on the bench for this clash for Crystal Palace, as there is no chance he replaces the in-form Jean-Philippe Mateta in the centre-forward role. Ismaila Sarr and Yeremy Pino will complete the attacking setup, with all those forwards capable of hurting a formidable defence like Arsenal’s.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta

Key Stats

• Arsenal are undefeated in 33 of their last 36 matches in the Premier League.
• Arsenal have scored at least two goals in nine of their last ten home matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
• Crystal Palace are winless in their last three games across all competitions.
• Crystal Palace have recorded only one victory in their last 14 away league games at Arsenal.
• Crystal Palace lead the Premier League for shots on target (43), xG (17.4) and big chances (33) this season. However, they are underperforming their xG by the biggest margin (-5.4) and have missed the most big chances (22) in the competition.

Player to Watch

Declan Rice

Embed from Getty Images

One of the most consistent stars for Arsenal this season, Rice is the main piece of Mikel Arteta’s puzzle in more than one way. The English international has been a solid presence for the side, and in a slightly different role in the side compared to last season, Rice has been instrumental in providing the sort of control that Arteta craves from his team.

Heading into the clash with Crystal Palace, this might be a crucial game decided in midfield, as Rice must dominate proceedings against Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada. He does have Zubimendi by his side, and the duo’s performances, particularly how Rice operates, will be key to Arsenal dominating the game and subsequently winning it.

Prediction

Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace will not have wanted such an intense clash in the trajectory they are in, but Oliver Glasner is the one not to shy away from a difficult challenge. Hence, the Austrian boss will expect his team to put up a fight at the Emirates, with this Eagles side equally capable of hurting big teams like the Gunners and even scoring past their formidable defence.

However, the hosts are in a rich vein of form, and there is nothing to suggest they could drop off even slightly ahead of Sunday. Hence, Arsenal are the clear favourites to get the three points and have another controlled game, although there is an off chance they could concede only their fourth game of the season across all competitions.