After Wednesday’s five-goal thriller in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at the Emirates Stadium, Saturday’s London derby will pit Arsenal and Crystal Palace in a mouthwatering contest at Selhurst Park.
The Gunners came from a goal down to beat the Eagles 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium to book a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, thanks to a second-half hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus. It was a good response to the disappointing draws against Fulham and Everton.
Mikel Arteta’s side have failed to capitalise on Liverpool’s setbacks thanks to their two toothless Premier League displays but Saturday will offer them a chance to close the gap temporarily. However, Crystal Palace will try to avenge the League Cup defeat in front of their home fans.
Arsenal Team News
Declan Rice was not involved in the midweek cup tie with a knock but is expected to make a swift return to action on Saturday. Riccardo Calafiori is also fit again and in contention for selection. Arteta revealed that Oleksandr Zinchenko could also be available.
Back in Premier League action ✊ pic.twitter.com/KcCuSzYJIP
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 20, 2024
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu will not be available for selection.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Crystal Palace (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
David Raya will be eye back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League. The Spaniard adds a lot of value to Arteta’s side when in possession rather than merely being a quality shot-stopper.
Defence
We expect Arteta to make one change to the back four. Kieran Tierney made his first Arsenal appearance in over a year on Wednesday before being taken off with a suspected cramp, so the Scot is unlikely to be risked with successive starts.
Instead, Myles Lewis-Skelly should get the green signal to feature at left-back, with Jurrien Timber starting as a right-back in the Arsenal lineup.
There is no looking past the robust central defensive partnership between Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, and the duo will hope to keep Jean-Philippe Mateta at bay.
Midfield
Declan Rice should return to the Arsenal lineup, having been rested in midweek. The England international should be joined by Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey in the Arsenal engine room.
The trio will look to control the game and create opportunities for the forwards in the final third. Jorginho and Mikel Merino could get minutes in the second half of the London derby.
Attack
Fresh from a hat-trick, Gabriel Jesus will be raring to start and continue his rhythm against the Eagles. However, Arteta is unlikely to go with the Brazilian and instead start Kai Havertz up top, flanked by Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
The forward will try to link up in the final third and cause problems for the hosts’ rearguard, with Saka being Arsenal’s most dangerous player. Leandro Trossard must have to be content with a role on the bench.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Crystal Palace