Game Week 17 Predictions: Arsenal must beat Palace

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal preview: Gunners aim to bounce back after Everton draw, while Palace target another shock result at Selhurst Park.

Arsenal must beat Palace to remain in the title race while the Eagles can't afford to slip back into the bottom three, who will show up big for this one? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

 Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal.

Selhurst Park

6:30 pm

It was strange to see Arsenal drop points at home to Everton last weekend; a goalless draw at the Emirates against a side they enjoy beating at home was unprecedented, and it has left a huge scar on Arsenal’s title hopes.

Crystal Palace, on the other hand, climbed up the Premier League log with an impressive win last weekend; a rare joy away from home took them up to 15th. They will hope to take the form into the fixture against the Gunners late on Saturday.

The two teams will reunite for the second time in four days following their battle for a semifinal spot in the League Cup. In that match, Arsenal overcame a 3-2 deficit thanks to a hat trick from Gabriel Jesus, but will the Brazilian maintain his starting position up front?

Arsenal remains in the title race, but many would rate City’s chance higher than theirs despite being three points clear of the reigning champions. The Gunners must go on a blazing run in the league like they did last season while hoping some of their rivals, Liverpool and Chelsea especially, stutter.

The goal for the hosts is to stay as far away as possible from the drop zone. They took the game to the Gunners at the Emirates and would be confident they can indeed get something on home soil, although they faced a much-changed Arsenal side for the best part of the game.

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Ricardo Calafiori and Declan Rice will be included in the squad, while Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the game due to injury. Ben White is a long-term absentee, but things look better for Arsenal on the injury front, and they can now plan with first-choice players.

Daniel Munoz served his suspension in midweek and is available for this one; Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze won’t feature against the Gunners, while former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah will hope to score against his former employers again.

Jean Phillippe Mateta is expected to lead the line with former Watford winger Ismaila Sarr, who got a brace at Brighton in their 3-0 success last weekend, and he will be itching to go again. Will Hughes has proven to be a formidable presence in the midfield, posing a significant threat to Arsenal.

Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard are clearly the glue at Arsenal; they will once again trouble the Eagles, but the duo of Gabriel and William Saliba in the Arsenal defense will have their part to play at both ends of the pitch. Remember their set-piece prowess?  Palace must pay attention to them.

Verdict: Arsenal must win.