Mikel Arteta has turned Arsenal around following a massive dip in form that nearly saw him fired. Now, with three straight wins in the league, the Gunners host Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Thursday night.
Crystal Palace have been a bogey team for Arsenal over the last few seasons. Arsenal have not defeated Crystal Palace in four straight league matches. The Eagles have a record of 1W-3D-0L during that timeframe. In April 2019, Crystal Palace even won at the Emirates 3-2.
The Gunners are unbeaten in back-to-back home matches claiming four points from six possible. Prior to their two-matches unbeaten, they had lost four consecutive home games. Things are slowly picking up for Arteta.
Arsenal have still only taken 10 points from 24 on offer at home. They have been outscored by opponents 11-9 in eight games at the Emirates.
Crystal Palace have failed to win their last two road matches, picking up one point from their last six possible. The Eagles have been outscored on their travels 13-10. They have gone toe-to-toe with the Gunners in their last six matches in the league, however.
Those last six games saw Arsenal just edge the Eagles in goals at 14-11. Yellow cards were a common occurrence in their last six matches with a combined 25 handed out and one red card given. That red card was handed out to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a nasty tackle on Max Meyer.
Arteta could have centre-back Gabriel back in the team along with defensive midfielder Thomas Partey. Both have been struggling with injuries. Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli is ruled out with an ankle injury.
Roy Hodgson, on the other hand, has eight players on his injury list. Conor Wickham, Nathan Ferguson, Wayne Hennessey, Jeffrey Schlupp, Mamadou Sakho, and Martin Kelly are all ruled out. Meanwhile, there is hope that Gary Cahill and Scott Dann will be fit to play.
Arsenal have seen over 2.5 goals in their last three home matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions. That trend should continue on Thursday night when the two sides meet. Arsenal are now getting things together and should get a goal.
Striker Alexandre Lacazette is in form for the Gunners with seven goals in 14 appearances in the league. Lacazette scored in his last Premier League match against West Brom, bagging two goals. The Frenchman has scored in each of his last three Premier League matches scoring four goals in total.
🤤 Granit's pass🎯 KT's delivery⚡️ Auba's movementAn @EmiratesFACup special 🏆 pic.twitter.com/M4zIbIzGa7— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 10, 2021
🤤 Granit's pass🎯 KT's delivery⚡️ Auba's movementAn @EmiratesFACup special 🏆 pic.twitter.com/M4zIbIzGa7
Arsenal should finally shake off their funk against Crystal Palace by claiming a home win. Arteta has turned things around and Arsenal should defeat Crystal Palace. Expect over 2.5 goals scored as these sides combine for another multi-goal match.