Arsenal Prepares for Crystal Palace Clash Amidst Injury Woes, Aims for Premier League Dominance

Premier League table-toppers Arsenal are gearing up to host Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium this Sunday afternoon in a highly anticipated fixture. The Gunners, who drew their last encounter with Palace, are looking to solidify their position at the summit of the league, but not without navigating a challenging injury landscape.

Arsenal's Injury Concerns and Predicted Lineup

Arsenal's defensive stability could be tested as key player Gabriel sustained an injury midweek, casting doubt over his availability for the match. Should Gabriel be unable to feature, the defensive partnership is likely to fall to Cristhian Mosquera alongside William Saliba, with Piero Hincapié also a viable option. Adding to their woes, Arsenal will continue to be without several crucial players, including Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and captain Martin Ødegaard due to existing injuries.

However, there's positive news on the return front, with Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard expected to rejoin the lineup. Eberechi Eze is also anticipated to make an appearance against his former club, adding an interesting dynamic to the midfield.

Arsenal's Predicted Lineup: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard.

The team's ability to adapt to these changes will be crucial as they seek to maintain their impressive form at the top of the league.

Arsenal faces Crystal Palace in a crucial Premier League fixture.

Crystal Palace's Preparations and Predicted Lineup

Crystal Palace, while facing a shorter injury list compared to their opponents, will contend with the quick turnaround from their midweek match. This may prompt manager Oliver Glasner to rotate his squad to manage player fatigue. Chris Richards and Adam Wharton are expected to earn starting spots, with Wharton returning to the starting XI after a bench appearance in the previous game. Eddie Nketiah, set to play against his former club, could partner Jean-Philippe Mateta upfront, potentially replacing Yeremy Pino.

Palace will, however, be without Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad, who remain unavailable.

Crystal Palace's Predicted Lineup: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi; Muñoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Nketiah; Mateta.

Match Prediction: Arsenal Favored for a Comfortable Win

Despite Crystal Palace's attacking potential, Arsenal is widely predicted to secure a 2-0 victory. The Gunners' robust defense is expected to hold firm against Palace's forward line. Factors such as Arsenal's controlled performance at home and Palace's quicker recovery time from their last match point towards a comfortable win for the league leaders.