Official Arsenal XI and preview for Crystal Palace

Arsenal are right up against it today with Tottenham demolishing Watford to push the Gunners out of the top four of the Premier League. Anything less than a win over Crystal Palace at the Emirates will be a disaster and even at the halfway point of the season it would leave our Premier League title hopes in tatters.

Hopefully Arsenal will respond to this pressure in the right way and Arsene Wenger has certainly gone on the attack with his team selection, which is packed with goal scoring threat, although I am a little concerned to see that our creative lynchpin Mesut Ozil is not even in the squad.

Whether that is because of a knock or simply to keep him fresh for our trip to Bournemouth in just two days we will have to wait and see, but in his absence the boss has gone for Olivier Giroud as well as Alexis Sanchez and the summer signing Lucas Perez is also in the starting line-up.

It looks like it will be Alex Iwobi who will fill Ozil’s position and to add some extra creativity we have the midfield pairing of Elneny and Xhaka with the more defensive Coquelin on the bench. Mustafi and the Ox are also on the bench with Aaron Ramsey.

Cech
Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal
Elneny, Xhaka, Iwobi
Sanchez, Lucas, Giroud

Subs: Ospina, Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Coquelin, Reine-Adelaide, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain.

It is a strong Arsenal side but I just hope we do not miss our brilliant German. COYG.

Bob.

42 Comments

    1. confirmed to just be ill. No injury at least. I like the lineup. Alexis can play anywhere upfront so him slotting in for Ozil is okay.

  1. Perez!! Finally. Özil is probably ill or something, hungover from last night lol.

    Well as it seems that our rivals won with ease this weekend, it probably means we will struggle. Let’s pray for the best.

  2. Arsenal essentially playing a 4-4-2 today with Alexis playing as number 10

    Cech
    Bellering Gabriel Koscielny Monreal
    Elneny Xhaka
    Iwobi Sanchez Lucas
    Giroud

  3. I for one have been desperate to see that front three playing together for months. If it works out we could score more than the Spuds…

  4. This is actually a very interesting line up. I’ve been dying to see Sanchez be given freedom as a CAM and Perez to start an EPL match. This should be good, COYG!

  5. People are here praying for this combination to happen.Well ,it has finally happen.
    I hope you won’t slate Giroud, and say he is not good enough to start.
    I hope you won’t say Alexis is not good at the number 10 position.
    l hope you won’t say Wenger is tactically inept.
    For me,even if they win,this line up is as useless as the “p” in pshycho.
    But hoping for us to win comfortably.

  6. Spurs doesn’t deserve to have Dele Ally, Arsene must try to buy him and make him the most expensive player, with his age he will be world best at Arsenal

  7. what a goal, and dominant first half. Xhaka, Bellerin have been standouts for me. And Iwobi looks very good in No. 10 role today. But take a bow Olivier Giroud, goal of the season right there! Now let’s go for that 2nd goal and get the points!

  8. Horrible, horrible finishing. Either we can’t hit the target or we aim straight to the middle. Anybody’s match really if we can’t kill the game.

    We are leading only because of that absolute cracker of a goal. Haven’t seen many better.

    1. Yep … Wenger’s failure to invest in quality attacking options will become more apparent even if welbeck returns transformed … Iwobi needs to be sent out on loan ASAP … He is clueless about basic positioning and weak in tackle … Ox for all his faults is a better option … Still probably the best goal at the emirates

      1. Iwobi has already beaten out Ox’s best EPL goal scoring season (TWO!!). And he’s been playing great today, don’t know what you’re on about.

  9. We should be winning 3-0. At least win 3-0 at full time would be a good result with back to back clean sheets.

  10. Ox has done more in his 15 mins than iwobi did in 75 … He is a frustrating player good qualities but brain not wired properly

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