Crystal Palace welcome Arsenal to Selhurst Park for the Monday Night Football for match week two of the 2023/24 Premier League season. With both clubs coming in with good momentum after opening weekend wins, both The Eagles and The Gunners will be looking to make it two wins in two games.
The Eagles currently sit fifth in the Premier League after their win, only trailing the top four due to their inferior goal difference. With a new manager, Roy Hodgson, and new signings Matheus Franca and Jefferson Lerma, Crystal Palace could make a splash in the Premier League this season. However, for the first time since 2015, Palace will be without Wilfred Zaha.
For their first game of the season, The Eagles travelled to Premier League new boys Sheffield United. Crystal Palace completely dominated with 68% of the possession and 24 shots with eight of those on target. Despite all of these chances, Palace could only find the target once through Odsonne Edouard, taking all three points home.
Arsenal started their season like they ended their last one, with a win and three points. With a goal difference of only one, The Gunners only sit in fourth but made their intentions known. Mikel Arteta’s side added to their already strong roster this summer, bringing in the likes of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and David Raya. With the strengthening of the squad and their momentum from last season, Arsenal could mount an even better challenge for the title this season.
The Gunners hosted Nottingham Forest at The Emirates for their opening game. After a delayed start due to ticketing issues not allowing fans into the stadium, Eddie Nketiah got Arsenal off the mark this season with a goal in the 26th minute. Bukayo Saka then doubled Arsenal's lead through an impressive goal before half time. Arsenal controlled the match with a dominant 79% of the possession and seven shots on target, though Forest did score late in the game making the final moments a nervous affair for The Gunners.
Crystal Palace and Arsenal have a storied history, having met 53 times thus far. The first meeting came back in 1934 in the FA Cup, and has been a fixture with one dominant side. Arsenal have won this tie 31 times, with Palace only managing six wins in 89 years. The other 16 clashes have ended in draws.
In the last five games between Arsenal and Crystal Palace, The Gunners have won three times with one draw and one Eagles win. Last season Arsenal did the double over Palace, winning 2 - 0 away and 4 - 1 at home. However, the meeting before those, an outlier, Crystal Palace beat The Gunners 3 - 0.
A player to watch this weekend could be Nketiah. After Gabriel Jesus was confirmed to be out and the new signing of Havertz, Nketiah proved that he can provide the goals for Arsenal and if he continues that way he may finally consolidate himself in the striker role for Arsenal.