The Gunners’ chances of a first Premier League title since 2004 have taken a hit in the last few weeks, with back-to-back defeats by Everton and Manchester City seeing them slide down to fourth place in the standings. A nervy 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day means they are just about still in the race to be crowned champions, but Arsene Wenger will be fully aware that his side cannot afford to drop many more points between now and the end of the campaign in May. Arsenal had looked in pretty good shape heading into December, but recent results and performances will have concerned the Frenchman as the second half of the 2016/17 season begins in the coming days.
Palace sacked manager Alan Pardew shortly before Christmas, with Sam Allardyce chosen as his replacement. The former England boss’ first game was a 1-1 draw against Watford at Vicarage Road; the Eagles were excellent in the first half and spurned a golden opportunity to double their lead when Christian Benteke missed a penalty, before the Hornets came back into the match in the second period. Palace remain in a perilous position just two points above the drop zone, but Allardyce will be reasonably confident that he can turn things around due to the strength of the squad left behind by Pardew.
Arsenal will be unable to call upon the services of Santi Cazorla, Danny Welbeck, Per Mertesacker, Mathieu Debuchy, Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set for a late fitness test. Olivier Giroud will probably continue at centre-forward, with Alex Iwobi and Alexis Sanchez providing support from the wings, while Granit Xhaka and Francis Coquelin are now firmly established as Wenger’s first-choice combination in the centre of midfield. Shkodran Mustafi could return alongside Laurent Koscielny at centre-half, although the Germany international may only be fit enough for a place on the substitutes’ bench.
Palace, meanwhile, will have to make do without Damien Delaney, James Tomkins, Pape Souare, Jonathan Benteke, Loic Remy, Connor Wickham, Steve Mandanda and Bakary Sako, but midfielders Joe Ledley and James McArthur should both be in contention after recovering from knocks. Winger and star man Wilfried Zaha is set to jet off to Gabon for the Africa Cup of Nations next week but will be available for Palace’s next two matches, while Andros Townsend should keep his place on the opposite flank after a fine performance against Watford on Monday.
Taking everything into account, it is difficult to look past a comfortable Arsenal victory at the Emirates Stadium this weekend. Wenger’s side have a great deal more quality right across the pitch than their opponents, although Palace’s attacking threat means they should be able to find the net. A home win with both teams to score could be the way to go in this one.
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