Football commentary on the match Arsenal vs Crystal Palace within the framework of round 21 of the Premier League 2023/24 taking place at 12:30 on January 20.
Analyzing the performance of Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
The nearly 2-week break certainly gave Arsenal time to look back and see where they went wrong. With their latest loss to Liverpool in the FA Cup, the Gunners have not won 4 consecutive matches, including 3 losses and 1 draw. Looking more broadly, since mid-December until now, Mikel Arteta’s teachers and students have only won 1/7 matches. In the Premier League alone, since a series of 4 victories from November to early December, Arsenal has only won 1 and lost 3 of the last 5 matches. It was this prolonged stumble that caused Arsenal to fall far behind in the rankings. At this time, Arsenal was 5 points behind top team Liverpool.
On the other side of the front line, the situation of the same city team Crystal Palace is not any better. Even though the Eagles are ranked 14th, they are only 5 points higher than the dangerous group. Crystal Palace’s series of poor matches has lasted to 11 matches. In particular, Palace only won 1 and lost 6. Playing away from home in the Premier League is Crystal Palace’s weakness as they also lost 3 and won only 1 of the last 6 matches.
Latest Arsenal vs Crystal Palace force information
Arsenal’s list of absences is very long. Although Jurrien Timber can now run and practice with the ball again, the day the Dutch defender returns is still far away. Thomas Partey and Fabio Vieira also suffered different injuries and will return next month at the earliest. Meanwhile, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny are both on national duty at the Asian Cup and CAN. The good news is that Oleksandr Zinchenko is on the road to recovery. However, if the worst scenario happens, Kiwior will have to fill the left wing.
On Crystal Palace’s side, Rob Holding missed the opportunity to meet his old team again because of an ankle injury. In addition, players who cannot come to Emirates Stadium include Michael Olise, Cheick Doucoure, Joel Ward, Jordan Ayew and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
Expected lineup Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Crystal Palace (4-4-2): Henderson; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Eze, Richards, Lerma, Schlupp; Edouard, Mateta