Match Preview and Predicted Lineup

Arsenal fans are very optimistic with the start Mikel Arteta has made as Arsenal manager and have seen clear changes in the way we are now approaching games. I believe that this game will be no different, with Arsenal going for the win by playing free-flowing attacking football, however still being wary of the threat Crystal Palace pose. The fact that it’s a London derby will help with the atmosphere and both teams will not want to walk away without all three points, continuing the theme of high-scoring meetings between the two. Crystal Palace will be compact and organised as they allow Arsenal to have possession and try to break them down, this will lead to Roy Hodson’s side countering with the pace of Wilfred Zaha who always seems to perform against the club he supported as a boy. Also, Arsenal will be prepared to have the ball for long periods of time and will be expected to take the game to The Eagles which I think Arteta will be keen to do.

Both sides aren’t at full strength, with Hector Bellerin facing a late fitness check in order to play any part in the fixture, along with long term absentees Callum Chambers and Kieran Tierney who are also ruled out. Palace on the other hand, are having a crisis over injuries and suspensions, which could see them have 12 players missing. These players include Andros Townsend, Max Meyer and Jeffrey Schlupp in attack, with Cristian Benteke in a race against time to be declared fit. At the back they are missing key players as well with the likes of Mamadou Sakho, Scott Dann and Patrick Van Aanholt all unavailable. To add to Roy’s worries, Luka Milivojevic is suspended for the next three matches due to a red card he received in Palace’s 1-0 defeat to Derby County. This means Crystal Palace will be without a whole host of important players and will most likely field a weaker team then they usually would, the away side will be near full strength and this is how I see them lining up:

Predicted Lineup

Formation – 4-2-3-1

GK – Bernd Leno

RB – Maitland – Niles

CB – David Luiz

CB – Sokratis

LB – Sead Kolasinac

CM – Lucas Torreira

CM – Granit Xhaka

RM – Nicolas Pepe

CAM – Mesut Ozil

LM – Aubameyang

ST – Alexandre Lacazette

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James Humphreys