Arsenal’s striker Gabriel Jesus, who missed the FA Cup defeat against Liverpool due to a minor knee problem, is expected to return. Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has been absent for two games due to calf injury, will be assessed. Fabio Vieira may be in contention after being out for two months. Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi could be available after returning to training following a hamstring issue. Jordan Ayew is at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Michael Olise is still out.
Head-to-head:
Crystal Palace have only won five of the 47 league meetings, including just two away games, one at Highbury in 1994 and the other at Emirates Stadium in 2019. They’ve been unbeaten in their past three Premier League visits to Arsenal under Roy Hodgson. Arsenal, however, have won three consecutive Premier League encounters against Palace after only one victory in the previous eight.
Arsenal:
Arsenal have only taken four points from their last 15 available. If they lose, it will be their first time suffering four consecutive defeats in all competitions since 2018. They could also lose three matches in a row at home without scoring for the first time since 1908. Arsenal’s leading Premier League scorer is Bukayo Saka with six goals this campaign, the lowest tally by the club’s leading scorer after 20 matches of a league season since 1989-90.
Crystal Palace:
Crystal Palace’s tally of 21 points is their lowest after 20 matches of a Premier League season since 2018-19. They can win consecutive league games for the first time since April. Palace have only won once in the last 17 Premier League away London derbies. They have conceded 11 goals in the final 15 minutes of league games this season. Odsonne Edouard has scored six goals in 15 Premier League appearances in 2023-24. Eberechi Eze is one short of 100 Premier League appearances.