Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal squad has yet again been hit by injuries in this busy festive period leaving the Gunners with just 3 points from the last three outings in the Premier League. The recent victory over West Brom has kept them alive in the race for the title but they will have to continue winning this weekend when they welcome cross town rivals Crystal Palace this weekend. Palace have a new manager in Sam Allardyce, who should work really hard to help them to safety this season after a disastrous start and Wenger will hope that his side can make light work of the Eagles in this game. Here is the predicted lineup that Wenger might field for this game:
Team News:
The Gunners will be without the services of Santi Cazorla, Mathieu Debuchy, Per Mertesacker and Oxlade Chamberlain for this game against Palace. Shkodran Mustafi is back in training and may play a role in this game while Danny Welbeck is also expected to be back in action. Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs however have reportedly picked up injures and will not be available for this game.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):
Petr Cech:
The first choice shot stopper for the Gunners, Cech, has been decent this season in front of goal and is a definite starter for Arsenal.
Hector Bellerin:
The Spaniard is the first choice right-back for Arsenal this season and he should be up against a weak Palace attack in this game.
Laurent Koscielny:
The backbone of the defense for Arsenal, Koscielny, will be up against Benteke this weekend and will hope to have a good game to help his side to a victory.
Gabriel Paulista:
Though Mustafi is back fit, Wenger, should not rush him into the first team and should go with Gabriel, who has done a decent job in the last couple of games.
Nacho Monreal:
With Gibbs out injured, Wenger has very little options in the full-back spots and he should go with the experienced Monreal for this game against Palace.
Francis Coquelin:
The first choice midfielder for Arsenal, Coquelin, has been consistently effective since the start of the season and he will have to play a similar role at the weekend.
Aaron Ramsey:
The Welsh international has not been able to cement a place in the starting XI but he will get a chance to prove himself at the Emirates against Palace.
Alex Iwobi:
The young winger has been impressive in the few outings he has got this season in the absence of star players and Arsenal need him to be at his best to take all three points from this game.
Mesut Ozil:
The German playmaker has not been at his best since the start of the month and Wenger will hope that he will have a decent game and help his side to all three points.
Alexis Sanchez:
Though in explosive form playing as a false-9, Sanchez, should be pulled back onto the leftwing in the wake of injuries to star players and should start this game there his weekend.
Olivier Giroud:
Having put in impressive performances constantly from the bench, Giroud, should get his chance in the first team for this game against Crystal Palace.
