After two weeks of the international break, the Premier League is finally back and of course, Arsenal will be back in action against London rivals Crystal Palace on a late Monday night kick-off.
Arsenal come into this game with a draw against Graham Potters men on Matchday 7. The Gunners were on four games winning streak, but unfortunately, that came to an end after a disappointing draw at the Amex.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta won the Premier League’s Manager of the month for guiding the Gunners for three back-to-back league wins in the month of September. The North London club only managed to concede one goal last month and scoring 5 in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace comes into this game with a 2-2 draw against Brendan Rodgers Leicester City. The Eagles are currently 14th in the Premier League points table with one win, four draws, and two losses. Crystal Palace have had a troublesome start under new manager Patrick Viera having won just once in the opening seven league matches. The Eagles will be hoping to grab some points against the Gunners.
The most recent meeting between the two clubs was on May 2021, where Arsenal managed to grab all three points with a 3-1 victory at Selhurst Park.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Venue: Emirates Stadium.
Date: 18th October 2021
Time: 20:00 BST.
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Mike Dean.
Assistant Referees: Eddie Smart, Mark Scholes.
Video Assistant Referee: Peter Bankes.
Fourth Official: Simon Hooper.
Assistant VAR: Neil Davies.
TEAM NEWS
ARSENAL
Mikel Arteta has the advantage of having a nearly completely fit team to choose from. Granit Xhaka is the only big absentee, as he continues to recuperate from a knee injury sustained last month. Brazilian International Gabriel Martinelli will be a doubt for this game after suffering a ‘minor injury’ last week.
Injured: Granit Xhaka
Doubt: Gabriel Martinelli.
Suspension: None.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Patrick Viera will be without Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson. Both the players are still in recovery progress after suffering long time injuries. Other than that, former Arsenal player Viera has the luxury of fielding a fully fit squad.
Injured: Eberechi Eze, Nathan Ferguson.
Doubt: None.
Suspension: None.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Arsenal (4-3-3): Aaron Ramsdale(GK), Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kieran Tierney, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Bukayo Saka.
Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Vicente Guaita(GK), Joel Ward, Tyrick Mitchell, Marc Guehi, Joachim Anderson, Luka Milivojevic, James McArthur, Connor Gallagher, Michael Olise, Wilfried Zaha, Odsonne Edouard.
