Bernd Leno and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are in line to return when Arsenal take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Arsenal will hope to make it three wins out of three in 2020 when they lock horns with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon. And, Mikel Arteta does not have any fresh injury concerns to deal with ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
The Arsenal boss is only likely to make a few changes to the side that beat Leeds United in the FA Cup third round earlier this week. One of the major shuffles, though, will take place in goal, with Bernd Leno replacing Emiliano Martinez.
As far as defence is concerned, only one change is in the offing. Ainsley Maitland-Niles will come into the side in place of Rob Holding. Maitland-Niles will start as Arsenal’s right-back with Hector Bellerin still out injured. Arteta did provide an update on Bellerin during his pre-match presser, though.
“No news really, I don’t think we we will get anyone back in the squad, we have a few that are going to be 50/50 for the following game probably but not much news. Hector is a little bit better. He trained partially with the team today, but he’s still not there.”
With Maitland-Niles returning to the starting lineup, Sokratis Papastathopoulos will move into the heart of the Arsenal defence, with David Luiz being his partner. Sead Kolasinac will complete the backline that will provide cover to Leno.
Granit Xhaka has been a regular under Arteta, who exclaimed that he convinced the Swiss midfielder to stay put at Arsenal. Xhaka, whose infamous outburst towards fans happened in the reverse fixture against Crystal Palace, should start again, but will likely have Lucas Torreira for company in the midfield double pivot.
The final change to the starting lineup should see Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returning. Aubameyang missed out against Leeds due to illness, but is expected to have recovered. Mesut Ozil should continue reprising the no. 10 role, while Nicolas Pepe will start on the right wing. Alexandre Lacazette will lead the line against Crystal Palace.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Torreira; Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette