Here we go Monday Night Football, it’s the first away game of the season for the Gunners. Mikels men head to Selhurst Park to take on a new look Palace without talisman Zaha, and Olise on the injured list for the time being. Arsenal are strong favourites and expect a similar affair to last week, dominant in position against a low block. Only this time not to get caught out on the counter.
Crystal Palace have won three of their 23 league home matches against Arsenal, drawing eight and losing 12, with two of those victories coming in the Premier League.
Arsenal were victorious in both top-flight meetings with Crystal Palace last season, winning 2-0 at Selhurst Park and 4-1 at the Emirates.
Predicted Lineup*:
With the Timber news still a blow to the hearts of fans and Mikel. Expect Zinchenko to start and pull the strings on the left handside and into the middle of the park. Arsenal played a behind closed doors friendly against Luton in which Zinchenko got some constructive minutes. It must be said Trossard also scored a brace in that game. He certainly hopes that can earn him a start either as a 9 or on the wing. But I don’t foresee Martinelli being dropped anytime soon.
The danger man for Palace is the young wonderkid Eze. If Arsenal control the position and don’t allow him a chance to be a maestro in midfield this should be a comfortable win for the Gunners.
Arsenal need to show they have learned their lesson from GW1 against Forest, and not step off the gas with a 2-0 lead. Given the starts of other strong teams around them this season, Goals and Goal Difference will be important. Arsenal will control the game, but they must show killer instinct. If by the first 45 Mikel isn’t pleased with the performance in the final third. Expect early substitutions to bring on Trossard and Eddie Nketiah to kill the game off.
Predicted POTM: Zinchenko
Result: 4 – 0
Suggested Bet: Saka Anytime Goal Scorer
Written by Reekesh Somaroo
*Lineup Created on Linupbuilder.com