Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has hinted at huge rotation for the final Premier League game of the campaign against Arsenal at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. The Cityzens made six changes to the starting XI, but still cruised to a comfortable victory.
Palace lacked composure in front of goal on multiple occasions, and they were defensively vulnerable, too. Man City could have easily scored more goals to boost their goal difference.
Speaking to reporters, Glasner was asked about the wholesale changes Man City made. In response, the Austrian highlighted that the Cityzens have a huge FA Cup final against Chelsea in three days.
Glasner added that Man City’s decision is probably the ‘legitimation to make huge rotation’ against Arsenal, considering the Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano three days after that.
He said via journalist Bobby Manzi: “Manchester City have a huge final in three days, so maybe it is the legitimation to make huge rotation against Arsenal [before the Conference League final].”
Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table over Man City has been cut down to two points after the latter’s 3-0 win over the Eagles. They now have a +1 goal difference advantage over the Gunners, too.
Mikel Arteta’s side host Burnley in their final home game on Monday evening, and the onus should not be on only winning, but also boosting their goal difference with a big-margin victory.
The Gunners are widely expected to beat the Clarets, but things could be tricky against Palace. A stalemate would mean goal difference could be a title decider if Man City win both matches.
Glasner has handed Arsenal a potential boost by hinting at heavy rotation, but the Gunners can’t afford complacency. They must get the job done against Burnley before the big game on May 24.
Arsenal have had a good league record against the Eagles over the years. They have won six of their previous seven meetings, with the other game ending up in a thrilling 2-2 stalemate.
Stats from Transfermarkt