Crystal Palace Vs Arsenal- Preview
Eagles eyeing first top six scalp of the season
Mitch Freeley
Crystal Palace welcome Arsenal to Selhurst Park on Thursday evening off the back of an eight-game undefeated streak in the Premier League, their longest run in the top flight since October 1990. You can watch Crystal Palace take on Arsenal exclusively on beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
Roy Hodgson has made the Eagles tough to beat at home and will be eyeing the scalp of Arsenal to pull away from an increasingly congested bottom of the table. In the same fixture last season, Palace defeated Arsenal 3-0 ultimately ending the Gunners faint title ambitions at the time.
Hodgson will be further boosted by the return of striker Christian Benteke, who served his one-match suspension last time out against Swansea. Whilst defender Joel Ward could be a fitness doubt for the side.
Luka Milivojević will have to be in fine form if the Eagles are to upset Arsenal. The midfielder has been one of the most consistent players in Hodgson side this term and has popped up with important goals from the penalty spot, including the opener in the 1-1 draw with Swansea last time out. The Serbian midfielder will be charged with halting the influence of playmaker Mesut Özil.
As for Arsenal, they will be looking to return to winning ways following their all-action 3-3 draw against Liverpool. The Gunners exhibited their attacking flair and defensive frailties on Friday evening and Arsene Wenger will be hoping for an improved performance from his side. However Arsenal this season have only won two games away from home, their joint fewest tally after nine away games in a Premier League season.
Nacho Monreal is a doubt for the Gunners, with the Spanish defender picking up an ankle injury in the match against Liverpool. Whilst both Oliver Giroud and Aaron Ramsey will miss out with hamstring injuries.
Alexis Sánchez has to step up on Wednesday evening in South London. The Chilean has only scored once in his last five Premier League outings and has been nowhere near the form that saw him score 24 goals in all competitions last season. A goal on Wednesday evening would likely help the prospects of the want-away attacker who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester City or PSG in the January transfer window.