Arsenal will take on Crystal Palace for the second time in a matter of days, and Mikel Arteta could welcome a few key players into the setup.
Arsenal will hope for a repeat of the performance over Crystal Palace in midweek that saw them reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals when the two teams meet again at Selhurst Park on Saturday. The two teams resume their rivalry in the Premier League as Mikel Arteta targets a win after going winless in the last two top-flight games.
During his pre-match press conference, Arteta confirmed the return of key stars to the squad, with Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice and Oleksandr Zinchenko likely to make the matchday group. Meanwhile, one of the focus points of this presser was Gabriel Jesus following his stellar hattrick in midweek.
Jesus has endured a difficult time in front of goal, as he has not scored in the league since last February. With that treble against Palace, the Brazilian now has four goals this season, with all of those coming in the EFL Cup. However, he would now be desperate to open his account in the Premier League this season.
The wider expectation will be for Jesus to start against Palace once more following that hat-trick, and Arteta was asked about the Brazilian. Arteta said, “Well he was very happy. Everybody in the team was really happy especially because he helped the team to win the game and get through to the semifinals, which is what we wanted.”
“You can see that immediate reaction of him, a big smile on his face, big energy around him, and that’s what we need to have everybody in the highest level of performance. Gabby certainly had a big one on Wednesday.”
In terms of team selection and squad changes, the availability of Calafiori and Zinchenko will be a welcome boost for Arteta. He could now look to use Jurrien Timber primarily in a right-back role, as the full-back roles have been the most challenging for the Gunners boss this season with regards to constant injuries.
Calafiori and Zinchenko are not expected to start, but they are probably in the frame to come off the bench at some stage, meaning Myles Lewis-Skelly could get another start at left-back. Timber is well placed on the right-hand side, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes set to resume their stellar partnership.
Thomas Partey could return to the starting lineup in his favoured central midfield position alongside Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice. Though the latter missed the midweek clash, and some might argue that he is only returning from a problem, Arteta usually starts the midfielder when fit and available.
Bukayo Saka will start on the right side, while Jesus is expected to lead the line ahead of Kai Havertz, as his midweek hattrick certainly merits a starting spot. Leandro Trossard was bright in midweek, meaning he could get the nod ahead of Gabriel Martinelli on the left-hand side.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Trossard