Preview: Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Possible lineup

The 2022-23 Premier League season begins with a London derby, as Crystal Palace hosts Arsenal at Selhurst Park on Friday night, as it did last year.

It's good to be back.

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 5, 2022

Patrick Vieira’s side thrashed the Gunners 3-0 in this fixture only a few months ago, but Mikel Arteta has worked hard this summer to fill the gaps in his Gunners XI.

Patrick Vieira slammed the Emirates turf in frustration after his side gave up two points in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal last season before outclassing the Gunners in April,Taking four points from a possible six against his former club last season.

The Former Invincibles team captain Vieira earned a manager of the season nomination after leading the Eagles to a 12th-place finish last season, as well as reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, and optimism is high around Selhurst Park under the Frenchman.

While the return of Conor Gallagher to Chelsea was a bitter pill to swallow, Cheick Doucoure and Malcolm Ebiowei are eager to make their mark in the English capital, and the end of pre-season was largely positive for Vieira’s team.

The Eagles enter this game after friendly victories over Queens Park Rangers and Montpellier HSC, with their only defeats coming at the hands of Liverpool and Manchester United.

Starting the season at Selhurst Park is exactly what the doctor ordered for Palace, who went unbeaten in their last six home games last season and remarkably kept clean sheets in each of their last five – no small feat considering Arsenal, Manchester United, and Manchester City are all on that list.

When their All Or Nothing Amazon Prime documentary is released, fans will soon be able to see what happened at Arsenal during the 2021–22 season, including that forgettable match for Mikel Arteta at Selhurst Park.

While the Gunners’ return to international play in the Europa League was a success, their late-season collapse allowed Tottenham Hotspur to swoop in and claim the fourth and final Champions League spot, leaving them feeling bitterly disappointed.

However, if the preseason performance of Arsenal is any indication, the Gunners will be a force to be reckoned with come the start of the new campaign. Chelsea, who lost 4-0 to their London rivals in Orlando before thrashing Sevilla by six goals in the Emirates Cup, will be a team to watch.

One of two high-profile transfers from Manchester City this summer, along with Oleksandr Zinchenko’s reunion with Arteta in North London, is Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick on that particular day. However, the Gunners manager has cautioned both players and fans not to get too excited about preseason results.

For the third consecutive year, Arsenal will kick off their new campaign with a London derby. The Gunners easily defeated Fulham 3-0 in a closed door match in 2020, but Brentford easily defeated Arteta’s team 2-0 in their inaugural Premier League match the previous year.

Arsenal Team News

Emile Smith Rowe’s groin strain is reportedly expected to keep him out of action, but there are other injured players at Arsenal, including Fabio Vieira, Kieran Tierney, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who have all had minor preseason problems but could still make the team.

Ben White could very well return to his responsibilities at right-back, allowing William Saliba to finally make his competitive debut alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in the center of defense. It would be surprising if any member of the trio made the starting lineup on Friday.

Jesus and Zinchenko are also expected to play, and Martin Odegaard, who has been named the new captain of Arsenal, will start in the number 10 position.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus

Crystal Palace Team News

Sam Johnstone, a recent addition to Crystal Palace’s goalkeeping ranks, is nursing a quadriceps injury and is expected to miss the season’s opening match, while Jack Butland is out with a broken hand.

On Friday, Vicente Guaita will likely serve as the last line of defense for the home team as James McArthur, Michael Olise, and James Tomkins are all expected to miss out due to injuries to their groins and ankles, respectively.

Doucoure’s chances of making his first competitive start for the Eagles are only increased by McArthur’s absence, while a front three of Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha, and Odsonne Edouard could start again today.

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Schlupp, Doucoure, Eze; Ayew, Edouard, Zaha.

If you find this post interesting kindly click on the link button below to share with your friends on Facebook Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, G-Mail, & Tiktok for the latest news