Arsenal and Crystal Palace resume hostilities on Saturday evening, just three days later Gabriel Jesus' impressive hat trick shot the Gunners into the EFL Cup semi-finals. Whether this earns the Brazilian a starting place at Crystal Palace is up for debate, but a few goals from one of their top strikers was exactly what Mikel Arteta needed.
Oliver Glasner also saw reason for optimism that his team scored two goals against the strongest defense in the Premier League. His team will certainly find it harder to overcome a full strength defense with William Saliba and Gabriel ready to return to the starting XI. Palace have only won two of their last 19 home league games against the Gunners, but with their form on the upswing it is not unreasonable for them to hope for another game.
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- Date: Saturday December 21st | Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Selhurst Park – London
- TV: USA | Live stream: fuboTV
- Opportunities: Crystal Palace +450; draw +300; Arsenal -163
Team news
Crystal Palace: Don't expect any major changes from Glasner for the second meeting with Arsenal, not least because right-back Daniel Munoz remains suspended after picking up his fifth Premier League yellow card of the season in Sunday's win at Brighton. Adam Wharton is also expected to be sidelined as he continues to recover from a groin problem. Young centre-back Chadi Riad also suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury after returning to action for the U21 team last week.
Could Glasner be tempted to change things up in midfield, where Cheick Doucour has been struggling for minutes after watching his side struggle to wrest control from Jorginho and Mikel Merino at the Emirates on Wednesday? That might be the most notable change from Wednesday's team.
Possible Palace XI: Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Kporha, Lerma, Doucoure, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze
Arsenal: Declan Rice may have been fit enough to face Palace in midweek, but Arsenal opted to keep him even off the bench in midweek. Those recalled in the second half – Martin Odegaard, Saliba, Gabriel, Bukayo Saka – will almost certainly return straight to the eleven.
Will it include Gabriel Jesus? Arteta was clearly delighted with the return to form of his No.9, who is still yet to score a goal in the Premier League since January. “It’s a big message for the team that we have Gabi back in top form,” said the Arsenal coach. Saying that and then pushing the Brazilian to the bench would be a strange approach. Kai Havertz, who has recently had problems with his shots on goal, may have to be content with a place on the bench.
Possible Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, rice, merino; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
forecast
At full strength, Arsenal appeared to be head and shoulders above Palace in midweek. There won't have been much time to change that, no matter how much Selhurst Park changes it. CHOOSE: Crystal Palace 0, Arsenal 2
