Crystal Palace v Arsenal: Statistical Preview, Form Guide, Injury News & Head-To-Head

Arsenal return from a Champions League defeat at home to Borussia Dortmund to take on managerless Crystal Palace in the opening Premier League game of the weekend.

After taking an early lead and looking good for 20 minutes, Crystal Palace were thrashed 4-1 at home to Fulham on Monday night. Manager Ian Holloway resigned afterwards, citing “exhaustion” as the Eagles are already 5 points adrift of safety having lost 7 of their 8 Premier League games.

This is Arsenal’s 3rd London derby of the season having beaten both Fulham (3-1) and Tottenham (1-0) this season. They have collected 357 points from London derbies in the history of the Premier League – top of the mini league. Crystal Palace are at the bottom of it with 40 points from 44 Premier League London derbies.

Form

Crystal Palace LLLLL

A victory over 10-man Sunderland at the end of August are the only points Crystal Palace have to show this season. It’s since been five consecutive defeats, all by at least 2 goals.

Marouane Chamakh has managed to shoot just once in 524 minutes of Premier League football this season. The Moroccans solo effort did find the back of the net in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 loss at Stoke City. Should Chamakh be given another chance this weekend he will be facing the team who brought him to England.

Crystal Palace have no new injury news and no players suspended for this match.

Arsenal WDWWW

Arsenal bounced back from a 1-1 draw at West Brom to comprehensively beat Norwich City 4-1 last weekend which included Mesut Özil scoring his first two Premier League goals. The Gunners head into the weekend with a 2-point lead at the top of the table.

Olivier Giroud has not scored in any of his last 4 Premier League games after starting the season with a goal in each of his first 4. The French striker does lead the league in assists with 4. Aaron Ramsey is the club’s top scorer with 5 goals but started last week’s game on the subs bench. Arsenal have five players with at least 2 goals.

Santi Cazorla played midweek to give Wenger another option and playmaker to choose from in midfield. Theo Walcott is still absent whilst no new injuries have been added to the list recently.

Premier League stats

Absentees

Crystal Palace
Jack Hunt (injury)
Glenn Murray (injury)
Jonathan Williams (injury)

Arsenal
Abou Diaby (injury)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (injury)
Lukas Podolski (injury)
Yaya Sanogo (injury)
Theo Walcott (injury)

Written by Barrie’s View