Arsenal vs Crystal Palace preview: Predictions, team news and rosters

Fans will soon forget Arsenal’s Europa League exit if the Gunners do their job against Crystal Palace and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points before the international break.
Thursday night was a rarely dark night in Arsenal’s brilliant 2022/23 campaign so far. Mikel Arteta’s side, pushed back after taking the lead with a cheeky strike from Pedro Goncalves, were then beaten by Sporting CP on penalties and saw them leave Europe early.

In the aftermath, cognitive dissonance plagued the fan base, with many saying they cared little for the club’s continental ventures given their current domestic status.

With Man City in the FA Cup, Sunday is a great opportunity to put the pressure on the Citizens ahead of the final stages of the season. They will face a managerless Crystal Palace side after opting to sack Patrick Vieira on Friday. The Eagles are winless in 2023 and haven’t scored in their last four games.

What could go wrong?
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace preview: Predictions, team news and rosters. Here’s our preview of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

How to watch Arsenal vs Crystal Palace on TV

When is the kick off? Sunday March 19

When is the kick off? 2:00 p.m. (CET)

Where is the game played? Emirates Stadium

TV channel/live stream? N/A (UK), fuboTV (Canada), Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, SiriusXM FC, nbcsports.com, USA Network, Telemundo, NBC Sports App (USA)

Referee? Stuart Atwell

Arsenal team news

The Gunners suffered a double injury on Thursday night when Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba were substituted in the first half. Saliba’s status for Sunday is unknown, while Tomiyasu is almost certainly out.
Gabriel Jesus started in his first game since November against Sporting, but Leandro Trossard returns to the XI on Sunday. The Belgian is joined by Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, with Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey replacing Fabio Vieira and Jorginho in midfield.

Crystal Palace team news

Whoever looks after the visitors this weekend is without Albert Sambi Lokonga, who is ineligible for his parent club. Will Hughes is likely to replace the Belgian in midfield at Palace. James McArthur is doubtful due to illness while Cheikou Kouyate remains on the sidelines.
In goal, Joe Whitworth is set to start back-to-back with Vicente Guaita and Sam Johnstone both injured.

Line-ups planned between Arsenal and Crystal Palace

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Tenant, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.

Crystal Palace: Whitworth; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Hughes, Doucoure, Schlupp; Olise, Edward, Zaha.

Arsenal’s current form

Arsenal 1-1 (3-5p) Sporting CP (16/03) – Europa League

Fulham 0-3 Arsenal (12/03) – Premier League

Sporting CP 2-2 Arsenal (09/03) – Europa League

Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth (04/03) – Premier League

Arsenal – Everton 4-0 (01/03) – Premier League

The most recent form of Crystal Palace

Brighton 1-0 Crystal Palace (15/03) – Premier League

Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City (11/03) – Premier League

Aston Villa 1-0 Crystal Palace (04/03) – Premier League

Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool (25/02) – Premier League

Brentford 1-1 Crystal Palace (18/02) – Premier League

Forecast/Prediction

Palace are unmanaged and winless in 2023, but I just have a bad feeling about this one. The Eagles are unbeaten in their last four visits to the Emirates and are fast approaching desperation mode in the fight for survival.

Arsenal battled a 120-minute game on Thursday night and while Arteta is blessed with a squad big enough to pull it off, I fear we will see a rather lethargic performance on Sunday. Saliba’s absence will be a major blow both on and off the ball, and Wilfried Zaha will relish the chances of him on the right side of the Gunners in the Frenchman’s absence.

For all their woes, Palace’s defensive record is quite good. They have conceded just four goals in their last five and recently frustrated Man City before Michael Olise conceded a penalty in the dying minutes. Many suspect the hosts will go on a cruise on Sunday, but I don’t think that will be the case.

3 positives and negatives as Sporting eliminate CP Arsenal from the Europa League

Sporting CP took Arsenal into extra time and then penalties, where the Gunners eventually succumbed to a disappointing 5-3 defeat after Gabriel Martinelli had his penalty saved. As for the balance of the two-legged leg, it’s hard to argue that Sporting didn’t deserve to win. While it is true we have more than … Read more 3 positives and negatives as Sporting CP dump Arsenal out of the Europa League

Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace