Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Preview

Posted Saturday, December 21, 2024 by BBC.com

Team news

Crystal Palace will be without Eberechi Eze, who injured his hip in the midweek EFL defeat by Arsenal.

Matheus Franca and Adam Wharton are still sidelined because of groin injuries, with neither expected to feature again in 2024.

Defender Daniel Munoz, who served an EFL Cup ban in midweek, is again suspended as a result of accumulating five yellow cards in the Premier League.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has overcome the minor injury he sustained during last weekend's draw with Everton.

Defender Riccardo Calafiori is also fit again after a knee injury while Oleksandr Zinchenko will be given a late fitness test.

However, the game comes too soon for defender Takehiro Tomiyasu as he remains sidelined with a knee problem.

Match facts

Head to head

Arsenal are looking for a fifth consecutive league win over Palace. They have won the previous four by an aggregate of 12-2.

Palace have lost their last two home matches against Arsenal, failing to score in either.

The Gunners have lost just two of their last 19 away league games against Crystal Palace (W10, D7) - both finished 3-0.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have gone five league matches unbeaten (W2, D3), their longest such run of the season.

They have lost just one of their last eight Premier League games (W3, D4).

Two of Palace's three league defeats this season have come against London clubs (West Ham and Fulham).

Oliver Glasner's side have scored just six Premier League home goals this campaign, a joint-division low alongside Ipswich Town.

Ex-Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah has failed to score in his last 28 Premier League appearances.

Arsenal

Arsenal have gone six league games unbeaten (W3, D3).

The Gunners have kept 17 clean sheets in the Premier League in 2024, more than any other side. However, they have conceded in their last six away games in the top flight.

Mikel Arteta's side are unbeaten in all nine of their Premier League London derby matches in 2024 (W7, D2).

Arsenal have scored nine goals from a set piece (excluding penalties) in this season's Premier League, more than any other side.

Gabriel Martinelli has scored five Premier League goals against Crystal Palace, more than he has versus any other opponent - three have come as a substitute.