Coming at the back of perfect results in the opening weekend, Arsenal and Crystal Palace will trade tackles at Selhurst Park in Premier League Matchday two clash on Monday, 21 August 2023.
Crystal Palace saw off newly-prmoted side Sheffield United at the Bramal Lane. A 49th-minute strike by Edouard was enough to seal a win for the Eagles.
They will be hoping to consolidate on their opening victory when they host Arsenal at their backyard.
Arsenal opened their Premier League campaign with a narrow 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium.
Two quick first half goals by Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka set the Gunners on the path to victory. Late in the second half, the Gunners’ last season nemesis, Taiwo Awoniyi, was again on the scoresheet for the Tricky Trees as they cut the deficit and attempted what could have been a dramatic comeback.
The Mikel Arteta-led boys held onto the lead to grab a deserved 2-1 win.
Against Crystal Palace, the 2022/23 Premier League runners-up will hope to put the Eagles to the sword as they set out for a Premier League title challenge again.
Match Preview
In their last 26 meetings, Arsenal have registered absolute dominance over Crystal Palace. The Gunners have won 14 times, drawing 8, and losing 4. They completed a back-to-back Premier League win over the Eagles last season.
Crystal Palace have only won one of their last five Premier League meetings against Arsenal.
Since their preseason defeat to Manchester United, Arsenal have won all their four matches, including the opening weekend win over Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium.
Crystal Palace’s win over Sheffield United was the second time they have won a match after preseason defeats to Millonarios and Sevilla.
Team news and probable lineup
Crystal Palace have three players on the club’s injury list who will miss the clash against Arsenal. Leading the list is Chelsea target Michael Olise. Forward, Franca, and midfielder, Hughes, are also down with Knee injuries.
Roy Hodgson will likely field most players he started in the game against Sheffield United.
Johnstone is expected to mann the goalpost while Guehi and Anderson are expected to start in the defense. Ayew and Doucoure will be available for attacking and defensive midfield roles, respectively, with Edouard expected to lead the attack.
Crystal Palace probable IX: Johnstone; Ward, Guehi, Andersen, Mitchell; Lerma, Doucoure; Ayew, Eze, Schlupp; Edouard.
Arsenal have a piling injury list heading into the match. A number of the Gunners’ first team players, who missed the opening weekend victory over Nottingham Forest, are still on the sideline.
Leading the Gunners’ injury list is Gabriel Jesus who suffered a recurrent knee injury in the preseason win over Monaco.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is also on the sidelines, nursing a calf problem and will be back to the squad on 22 September 2023.
New signing from Ajax, Jurrien Timber, who picked up ACL injury in the opener against Nottingham Forest, is also set to miss the clash, including Elneny who is yet to be back with the squad since suffering a knee injury last season.
Sambi Lokonga and Balogun are also on the Gunners’ injury list and are set to miss the clash.
Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka are expected to make Mikel Arteta’s attacking selection with Gabriel Martinelli.
Aaron Ramsdale will start on goal while Ben White and William Saliba are expected to return to the defence with Partey, Odegaard, and Kai Havertz in the midfield.
Arsenal probable IX: Ramsdale; Partey, White, Saliba; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Prediction
It will be a rollercoaster clash between the two sides at Selhurst Park but going by the precedents, Arsenal will carry the day with a 2-1 win.
