Mikel Arteta is set to ring in the changes as Arsenal look for their fourth consecutive Premier League win against Crystal Palace on Thursday.
Arsenal are hoping to continue their excellent run of form when they take on Crystal Palace at Emirates on Thursday. They are looking for their fourth consecutive win in the Premier League in an attempt to push further up the table.
The Gunners are coming on the back of a 2-0 win over Newcastle United in the FA Cup on the weekend – a game where Mikel Arteta mad a host of changes to his starting eleven. It is, therefore, reasonable to expect him to revert those changes by recalling a bunch of his first-team players.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
The club has already provided a positive update on Gabriel Magalhaes heading into this game. “Gabriel is now back in full training and is available for selection for Thursday’s match,” read an official statement. So it won’t be surprising to see the Brazilian make his return to the starting lineup alongside Hector Bellerin in the defensive department.
Gabriel’s return could see him form the central defensive unit alongside Pablo Mari while Bellerin and Kieran Tierney should operate as the full-backs, providing cover for Bernd Leno in goal.
As for the midfield unit, Thomas Partey is back in full training and could be in contention to feature this midweek. However, Arteta will be keen on avoiding making the mistake he did last time out by rushing the former Atletico Madrid star back into the starting eleven. We could, thus, expect Dani Ceballos and Granit Xhaka to operate in the double-pivot against Crystal Palace.
Another positive news for Arsenal this week has been the return of Gabriel Martinelli. The young attacker had picked up a knock in training just before the Newcastle United game. However, an update on Wednesday has confirmed that the Brazilian has trained with the team and could be an option against Palace.
That said, both Nicolas Pepe and Martinelli will have to settle for a place on the bench nonetheless, with Arteta likely to deploy Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka in the wider attacking positions. They will look to provide supply for the in-form Alexandre Lacazette, who has netted four goals in the last three league games.
Arsenal Predicted XI: Leno; Bellerin, Gabriel, Mari, Tierney; Xhaka, Ceballos; Saka, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang; Lacazette
