Granit Xhaka is back in contention while Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli are in line to start when Arsenal take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Arsenal will be aiming to make it four wins in a row in the Premier League when they travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. And heading into the game, the Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has been handed an injury boost.
Granit Xhaka, who has missed the past couple of games due to injury is back in contention, with Arteta confirming that David Luiz was the only notable absentee for the trip. “No big changes. I think everybody is fit apart from David, let’s see how Granit is as well, but for the rest I think they are okay,” the Arsenal manager said in his pre-match press conference.
This would also mean that Hector Bellerin, who picked up an injury last time out against Chelsea, is also available for selection. However, the Spaniard is unlikely to feature against Palace, with Calum Chambers likely to get the nod at right-back as Arsenal revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation after fielding a three-man backline last time out.
Rob Holding and Pablo Mari ought to form the central defensive pairing for the north Londoners while Kieran Tierney occupies the left-back slot. There is no looking past Bernd Leno in goal, with Arteta also taking the press conference as an opportunity to address his contract situation. “He has two years here and he belongs here,” the Spaniard said, amid speculations over the German’s future.
Moving into the midfield department, Thomas Partey ought to hold on to his place, with Mohamed Elneny being his partner yet again, as Xhaka is only returning from an injury. Dani Ceballos will also be an option from the bench for Arteta and Arsenal.
Emile Smith Rowe was the star of the show for Arsenal in the win over Chelsea last time out, scoring the only goal of the game. The 20-year-old should slot in as the No. 10 when he returns to his birthplace, Croydon, on Wednesday night, ahead of loanee Martin Odegaard.
Bukayo Saka, given his importance to this Arsenal side, is a certain starter out on the right wing, while Gabriel Martinelli should get an opportunity to end an injury-riddled campaign on a strong note starting out on the left flank. Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ought to lead the line for Arsenal against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Arsenal Predicted XI: Leno; Chambers, Holding, Mari, Tierney; Partey, Elneny; Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli; Aubameyang