Arsenal welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates for the early kickoff on Saturday, where the Gunners will look to apply pressure on those above them in the table. When the two clubs met in August, a Martin Odegaard penalty was the decider in a narrow 1-0 win for the Gunners.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s side started the campaign in excellent form, yet they are now four games without a win in all competitions. That said, the Gunners are still only five points behind Liverpool in fourth place, having won 12 of their 20 matches.
This season, Arsenal haven’t quite been themselves in the final third, as they’ve only netted 37 goals in 20 matches, and they’ve now gone 48 shots at home without a goal. On the other hand, they’re solid defensively and have conceded the second fewest goals, 20.
Last time out, Arsenal suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup. The hosts missed five big chances in the game and could have had a few goals in the first half, but they were ultimately undone by a set piece with ten minutes to go.
Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson has been unlucky with the number of injuries to key players this season, particularly Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, who supply all the creativity in the side. Despite this, the Eagles are 14th in the Premier League after 20 matches, with 21 points.
Their biggest issue has been in the final third, with Crystal Palace netting just 22 goals all campaign, only two teams have scored fewer. Yet on the other hand, they’re a difficult unit to breach, conceding just 29 goals so far.
Last time out, Palace drew 0-0 to Everton at Selhurst Park. In truth, it was a game with very little action, and the hosts only looked like scoring once Dominic Calvert-Lewin was sent off with ten minutes to go.
Verdict?
Arsenal will be desperate to make a statement this weekend with a huge performance. Their poor spell in attack could come to an end this weekend.
Palace will look to frustrate the hosts and hit them on the counterattack, but their lack of clinical edge could cost them.
The final prediction is Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace.
