Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Match Preview

Giroud scored a brace in the previous game against Boro.
HFB is now just one shy of 50 Arsenal goals

   Arsenal travel to South London to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their next Barclays Premier League clash. And with form and momentum on their side, they are favourites to win the 3 points today. But there is a belief in the Palace camp that they can pull off an upset.

   Before moving on to threat of the Eagles, Team news for this London derby is that Bellerin and Flamini were supposed to have tests but the former was spotted in training so it can be presumed that he is fit to start. Besides Ox and Jack also trained and of the both, only the latter is likely to feature in the 18 man squad.

   Now moving on to Palace, Alan Pardew's men play direct style of football with most of their attacks flowing from the flanks. Their centre-halves sits deep with central midfield operating from defensive positions soaking up all the pressure and initiating counters to catch the opposition quickly on the break.

   The teams who underestimate Palace's threat often pay a heavy price for that. Most notably, Last season an in-form Everton did that at Goodison Park and lost 3-2 which threw them out of the race for top 4 finish in April. Though the result came under Tony Pulis era, but it doesn't make a great difference as their style of play is still very much the same.

   The Eagles boast pacy wingers in form of Bolasie, Zaha, Puncheon and Gayle which offers numerous sprint races on the wide areas throughout the game. So it will be apt for Wenger to start Welbeck and Sanchez to support the fullbacks Bellerin and Monreal on the flanks. Their wingers are supported by former gunner Maroune Chamakh who operates behind the striker. The lateral movements of Coquelin on the pitch will be vital in dealing with their attacks.

   Talking of Gunners attack, Wenger is likely to start Santi and Özil in central midfield of the 4-1-4-1 formation. Though it will not make any difference even if he deploys 4-2-3-1 since they both are given full freedom to roam on pitch and stay around the ball. Olivier Giroud is sure to start in the CF position who has been in fine form since his return from injury in November. He scored in this fixture last season and will fancy his chances today as well.

From all that we can make up, the starting XI may look something like this

Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Santi, Özil, Sanchez, Welbeck, Giroud

   I foresee a Gunners win with HFB and Sanchez on scoresheet.