Arsenal vs Crystal Palace preview: Vieira Returns in Premier League

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace preview: How to watch, lineups, Vieira return & prediction

Arsenal's French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe (C) shoots to score their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park in south London on May 19, 2021. - Arsenal won the game 3-1. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Frank Augstein / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by FRANK AUGSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) /

Arsenal Predicted Starting XI vs Crystal Palace – No Reason to Change?

Arsenal: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Sambi, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang

Crystal Palace: Guaita; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Gallagher, Kouyate, McArthur; Ayew, Benteke, Zaha

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Score Prediction

How Palace approach this game will hinge on who Vieira starts at centre-forward. Transitioning away from the Hodgson style of last season, the Frenchman is much more proactive in his thinking with an emphasis on pressing from the front with a narrow 4-3-3 shape.

Should Edouard get the nod then this looks like being the approach again. If it is Christian Benteke, however, then Palace may look to ease of the ambitious pedal and seek to win the ball back in other areas of the pitch. Due to the comfort in possession of Ben White and Gabriel, and the press resistance of Partey and Sambi, he may go slightly more conservative.

There are a lot of things to like from what Vieira is doing at Selhurst Park: Palace transition from winning the ball back immediately and with the defensive shackles taken off James McArthur their line of engagement is much higher up the pitch than previously.

With Arsenal being on home soil and the pace up front to stretch the pitch and exploit the spaces in behind, as well as the technical craft in midfield and half-space positions to break lines and navigate through the press, they should come out on top in this one.

The visitors will want to keep this at a level game state for as long as possible then look to add more impetus in attack with the likes of Michael Olise and Jeffrey Schlupp to come on later, so nipping that approach in the bud early doors with a dominating opening that sees plenty of possession has to be the gameplan.

Boasting players who’ve been in fine form for their countries over the break, we’re backing Arsenal to see this one through.

Sorry Patrick, we still love you to bits.

Score Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace

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