Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Predicted XI: Stop the plague

Centerbacks

You know that saying, “If you got it, use it?” Me neither. But I feel like that’s what Unai Emery is basing his strategy off. He’s got Sokratis, so he might as well use him. He’s got David Luiz, so might as well use him to, right?

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi started the Vitoria match, and yet again it was Mustafi who took center stage and proved to be a remarkably stoic defender, the likes of which we haven’t seen in about a season and a half. Holding, on the other hand, looked a bit slow, which is probably all Emery needed to convince himself that it’s still okay to be starting Sokratis and Luiz. Not exactly what we want to hear, but that’s where we are right now, so deal with it.

Honestly, it’s at the point where I’d like to see Mustafi get another chance simply because I’m so tired of Sokratis that anyone is better. Same with Luiz, but less extreme.

Anyway, I’ll stop complaining and accept the situation as it is. Luiz has been positive lately, so here’s to hoping he can keep up that positive run and maybe, just maybe, Sokratis can find himself into some positive form as well.

Moving on to the midfield.