Unai Emery’s Arsenal sealed their progression to the Europa League semifinals on Thursday night. The Gunners will now turn their focus back to the Premier League as Crystal Palace arrives at the Emirates.
Arsenal have been unplayable at the Emirates this season. They have won 44 of their 66 points on their home turf. Arsenal’s last six matches at the Emirates have ended in victory.
Crystal Palace head to north London following a home loss to Manchester City, 3-1. The Eagles were far from the exciting team they were in their previous encounter with the Cityzens.
Manager Roy Hodgson has favoured taking of the reins off his players on the road while playing more conservatively at Selhurst Park. He could choose to go after the Gunners like Crystal Palace did against Manchester City at the Etihad and Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season.
Arsenal have won three of their last six matches against Crystal Palace. The Eagles did pick up a shock 3-0 victory against the Gunners in 2017, but that is their only win in the last 11 meetings between the clubs.
Crystal Palace picked up a draw against Arsenal in their previous game this season at Selhurst Park. The Eagles were awarded two penalties as Luka Milivojevic slotted them both away.
Emery could rotate his side following Thursday night’s 1-0 win over Napoli. The Gunners played in Italy and Emery selected the strongest squad he could.
Arsenal are in a dogfight for the top three. The Gunners sit fourth, one point behind Tottenham Hotspur, and two points ahead of sixth-place Manchester United. Emery cannot afford to rest his stars with just five games to go.
Crystal Palace will be without starting centre-backs James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho. The pair are struggling with injuries and may not return this season. Jeff Schlupp is a doubt for the game as well as due to a muscle injury.
Emery has one new injury concern and that is Denis Suarez. The Spanish midfielder has played sparingly since joining in January from Barcelona. However, he has picked up a groin strain in training.
Hector Bellerin, Danny Welbeck, and Rob Holding are all still out as the trio are suffering from long-term injuries.
Arsenal’s home form has been fantastic. They have conceded a mere 12 goals while registering a +27-goal difference.
The Eagles have a zero-goal difference having conceded 26 goals and scoring 26. The Gunners will pick up a 15th home victory and strengthen their hold on the top four with a clean sheet at the Emirates.