Arsenal: Complete Preview Including Likely Line-Up vs. Crystal Palace
After the heartbreaking late defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night, it is back to Premier League matters for Arsenal this weekend, as they face struggling Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles are not only in the bottom three of the Premier League, but also, they are now without a manager after Ian Holloway parted company with the club on Wednesday.
It looks like a routine three points for the Gunners and a swift return to winning ways after the disappointment against the German outfit on Tuesday. There is always the potential for an upset in the Premier League though, and Arsenal will have to be wary of a wounded Palace side.
Carry on reading to find out how Arsenal could line up against their opponents this weekend and who the key threats of the Eagles are. You will also get a form guide.
Form Guide
1 of 8
Crystal Palace
Things couldn't be going much worse for recently-promoted Palace. They sit second bottom of the Premier League table, with only Sunderland below them, who are yet to win a game.
Palace have picked up just the solitary victory this season, but it was at home. The 3-1 win over basement outfit Sunderland gave the Eagles the only points they have claimed this season, leaving them languishing in the relegation zone already.
Despite that win at home, their home form is still not good enough to see them any higher than 18th in the home form table. With the top of the league team arriving on Saturday, things look tough for Crystal Palace.
Arsenal
Putting Tuesday's defeat to Dortmund aside, things have been going pretty close to perfect for Arsene Wenger and his men. That Champions League defeat was the first Arsenal have suffered in any competition since the opening day defeat to Aston Villa.
The Gunners sit top of the form table when it comes to playing away from home, the exact same position as their actual league standing (per the Premier League's official website).
Their last six matches have yielded a remarkable 16 points, with the only dropped points coming in the 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion just before the international break.
Last Meeting
2 of 8The last time Crystal Palace were in the Premier League was the 2004/05 season. Arsenal were defending champions, but ultimately finished 2nd to Jose Mourinho and Chelsea.
After a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park between the sides earlier in the season, the Gunners destroyed Palace 5-1 in an attacking masterclass at Highbury to keep their title challenge alive.
Despite Andy Johnson netting a penalty for Palace, goals from Dennis Bergkamp, Jose Antonio Reyes, Patrick Vieira and two from Thierry Henry saw Arsenal cruise home.
The highlights of that game are available to watch right here on this page.
Palace's Key Men
3 of 8
Even with their early season turmoil, Palace still possess some threats Arsenal will need to be wary of on Saturday.
Perhaps chief amongst them is their striker Dwight Gayle. Just over a year ago he was playing non-league football with Bishop's Stortford, but he is now a Premier League striker after the Eagles splashed out on him during the summer.
In Jason Puncheon, Palace have a player with Premier League experience under his belt with Southampton. And he can strike at any moment with his long range shooting.
Finally, at the back, Adrian Mariappa has proved to be a shrewd signing for Palace. He grabbed the opening goal in Monday's 4-1 defeat to Fulham, but he is a defender with years of experience behind him in the Championship and Premier League.
Team News
4 of 8
Concerns
Despite Jack Wilshere colliding with the advertising boards during the Dortmund game, he appeared to run off the injury and confirmed afterwards that he was fully fit. Aside from that, there were no fresh injury concerns for the Gunners to take into Saturday.
Returns
The big returnee is Mathieu Flamini. After missing the Dortmund clash with a bout of concussion, he will be back this weekend after sitting out the necessary time required for such an injury.
With the five-day ruling now passed, Flamini is fit to once again take his place in the heart of Arsenal's midfield.
Still Out
Theo Walcott is still a short way from returning following his abdominal injury, and the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski are still on the sidelines.
Podolski did give fresh hope that he is close to a return following a tweet from his official Twitter account on Wednesday.
Goalkeeper
5 of 8
GK: Wojciech Szczesny
It will be business as usual between the sticks on Saturday, as Wojciech Szczesny will assume the role of goalkeeper against Palace.
Despite his strong start to the season, Szczesny has kept just one clean sheet in the Premier League all season for Arsenal, in the 1-0 victory over Tottenham.
Saturday's game against a side stuck in the relegation zone provides Szczesny with a chance to pick up his second.
Defence
6 of 8
FB: Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs
Arsenal's first-choice full-back pairing will no doubt continue against Crystal Palace on Saturday, with the returning Bacary Sagna and the impressive Kieran Gibbs taking the roles.
Gibbs, in particular, has looked a rejuvenated figure in 2013/14, and he will no doubt be knocking on the door of England manager Roy Hodgson if he continues his promising form.
Likewise, Sagna has been as reliable as ever, and his return from injury has boosted the Arsenal back four.
CB: Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny
It is looking increasingly likely that these two will be together at the back for a prolonged period.
Mertesacker is another who looks transformed this season in comparison to last, and his form has been excellent in the early part of the season. Similarly, Koscielny looks in great form, and the two are striking up a good partnership.
It does however, lead to more questions about the future of Thomas Vermaelen.
Midfield
7 of 8
CM: Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta
Expect Arsenal's midfield duo of Flamini and Arteta to take up the reins in the middle of the park once more. With Flamini back from his concussion, he is a natural selection to slot back into the team and improve the steel of the side.
The Frenchman and his Spanish counterpart have struck up a nice relationship as a pairing so far this season, and they have given the three in front of them a real license to go forward and attack without fear.
That trend should continue on Saturday.
AM: Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere
Arsene Wenger will likely go with the same midfield dynamic that he started in the game against Norwich.
It was only due to Flamini's injury that things had to change, and Aaron Ramsey came on from the bench. With Wilshere, Cazorla and Ozil just behind the striker, goals are all but guaranteed.
Ramsey will also provide a late surge from the bench, should Arsene Wenger require it.
Attack
8 of 8
Who else but Olivier Giroud?
The Frenchman found the net again in Tuesday's defeat to Dortmund, and he looked impressive once more.
With a defence that is struggling to keep goals out like Crystal Palace's is, it may be a smart idea to put Giroud into your fantasy team this weekend.
In the form he is in, goals will not be far away. With only Nicklas Bendtner as competition at the moment, Giroud's place is not under any serious threat at this moment in time.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-3 Arsenal
