Arsenal is welcoming Crystal Palace in Premier League tomorrow. The Gunners are in a four consecutive wins run overall, three in the League. Last game they beat Newcastle in the 3rd round of FA Cup 2-0. Manager Arteta was under immense pressure just less than a month ago, but after Christmas winning run gave him new dose of confidence and job security. Been close to relegation zone at Christmas now Gunners are just 6 behind top 6 with 23 points. Crystal Palace are in the same boat at 13th place with one point less.
Thomas Partey is fit again for Arsenal options in the midfield, where Gabriel Martinelli will be unavailable after warm-up injury last Saturday against Newcastle. Defender Gabriel could also return in the center back role after conformation he is also in good health.
Ceballos and Elneny will compete for the central midfield spot alongside Granit Xhaka if Partey is not fully match ready. Aubameyang, Saka and Lacazette with the help of in form Smith Rowe will lead the attack for Arsenal.
Crystal Palace will be without defender Mamadou Sakho, who picked up injury in Friday’s FA Cup defeat at Wolves. Palace defense will be straighten by return of Gary Cahill, who is available again.
Despite seen as favorites and riding the wave of optimism manager Arteta warns fans it will be hard game. “They are a really dangerous side and they have shown that against big teams. They are a really compact and organized team and you know what you’re going to expect.“
Arteta also downplayed Palace humiliating 0-7 defeat against Liverpool last month- “Roy always makes things difficult and they lost some games, some undeserved and some with a big margin like against Liverpool. But for me it’s not a real consequence of what they are as a team.”
Arsenal fans are confident after the team won last four games with three clean sheets and backed the results with good performance on top.
Expected eleven for Arsenal:
Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang, Saka, Lacazette
