Crystal Palace vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Arsenal are back in Premier League action on Monday night as they round off Matchday 2 of the 2023/24 season at Selhurst Park.

The Gunners opened up their 2022/23 campaign in south London against Crystal Palace and walked away with a 2-0 win which kick-started their stellar season. However, trips to Selhurst are never easy.

Mikel Arteta’s evolving outfit are still finding their feet this season with the Spaniard implementing a more fluid system with more moving parts. However, their campaign got off to a winning start as they edged out Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the Emirates.

Palace were also successful on Matchday 1 as they beat Sheffield United 1-0 away from home.

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Here’s our preview of Arsenal’s trip to Selhurst Park on Monday night.

How to watch Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

When is kick-off? Monday 21 August

What time is kick-off? 20:00 (BST)

Where is it played? Selhurst Park

TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Premier League, SKY GO Extra, Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Main Event (UK) / Peacock (US) / fuboTV

Referee? David Coote

Crystal Palace team news

While Michael Olise committed his long-term future to the club in the week, he’s currently nursing a hamstring injury and will miss Monday’s game.

Will Hughes is also set to miss out after picking up an injury in pre-season.

However, Roy Hodgson otherwise has no concerns and he could pick the same starting XI from last Saturday’s win at Bramall Lane.

Arsenal team news

Jurrien Timber was added to the injury list in the week with the Gunners expected to be without their new signing for much of the season. The Dutchman joins Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines.

There could be a return to the squad for Oleksandr Zinchenko on Monday, although I wouldn’t expect him to start given his lengthy injury layoff. Thus, with doubts over Kieran Tierney’s future, Takehiro Tomiyasu should start at left-back.

David Raya arrived at the club ahead of the trip to Palace, but Aaron Ramsdale will continue between the sticks for the visitors. Gabriel should also come back into the team.

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal predicted lineups

Palace: Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Lerma, Doucoure, Ayew, Eze, Schlupp; Edouard.

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.

Crystal Palace’s recent form

Sheffield United 0-1 Crystal Palace (12/08) – Premier League

Crystal Palace 2-0 Lyon (05/08) – Friendly

Crystal Palace 1-1 Sevilla (31/07) – Friendly

Crystal Palace 1-2 Millonarios (27/07) – Friendly

Crystal Palace 2-1 Watford (22/07) – Friendly

Arsenal’s recent form

Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest (12/08) – Premier League

Arsenal 1-1 (5-4p) Man City (06/08) – Community Shield

Arsenal 1-1 AS Monaco – (02/08) – Emirates Cup

Arsenal 5-3 Barcelona (27/07) – Friendly

Man Utd 2-0 Arsenal (22/07) – Friendly

Prediction

While Palace are now without Wilfried Zaha and Michael Olise will be missing on Monday, Roy Hodgson’s return renders the Eagles a tough out. The veteran manager has developed an impressive rapport with this group of players, with Eberechi Eze the standout figure whom Arsenal must contain.

Eze has the capacity to win the contest for the home side on his own.

Nevertheless, many will expect the Gunners to claim all three points on Monday. Palace’s transition threat is certainly less potent in the absence of their two star wingers, and the visitors should be able to control proceedings from the off. They must, however, offer a more clinical edge in the final third compared to last weekend. Hodgson’s sides are notoriously tricky to break down.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal