Crystal Palace have been handed a huge selection blow ahead of the double-header against Arsenal this week.
The Gunners will play two matches against Palace this week, first on Wednesday night with a quarter-final clash in the Carabao Cup at the Emirates Stadium. That will be followed by a rematch on Saturday when they meet at Selhurst Park in the Premier League as both clubs strive to secure all three points.
Mikel Arteta's side were held to a draw with Everton in their top-flight clash on Saturday afternoon as they dropped two points in the title race, as did Liverpool with their stalemate at home to Fulham. Sunday saw Palace record a 3-1 win over Brighton, but the game also saw it confirmed that one of their star players will now serve a suspension.
Daniel Munoz picked up a yellow card in the victory at the Amex Stadium, which was his fifth of the season in the Premier League. The booking means that the right-back will now serve a one-match ban which will come against Arsenal this week.
Rules state that red cards carry over into the Carabao Cup, but the same does not apply to yellow cards. As a result, Munoz is expected to be available for the midweek fixture against Arsenal but will miss the Premier League clash on Saturday evening.
Munoz has been a key player for Palace this season, starting all 19 matches under manager Oliver Glasner - including 16 in the top flight- and has played the full 90 minutes on all-but five occasions. The suspension will mean, though, that a new right-back will need to be selected for the clash against the Gunners this weekend.
For Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus is the player most in danger of receiving a suspension for yellow cards. The striker has four bookings and one more would result in a one-match ban.