Arsenal vs Palace: Statistical Preview, Form Guide, Injury News + Head-To-Head

A 2-2 draw at Southampton on Tuesday night saw Arsenal dropped down to second 24 hours later following Manchester City’s 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur.

Crystal Palace are the only other team than Manchester City heading into this weekend with consecutive victories in the league. The Eagles have won back-to-back Premier League matches for only the second time this season; a 1-0 victory at home to Stoke City was followed up with a victory by the same scoreline against Fulham.

Arsenal are heavy favourites for this match and will go top of the league, at least temporarily, with a victory on Sunday.

Form

Arsenal DWWWW

Arsenal’s five game winning streak came to an end on Tuesday with a draw at St Mary’s. However, the Gunners are in fine form at the Emirates, having won 8 of their last 10 at home and keeping 6 clean sheets in their last 7.

Santi Cazorla has 3 goals in his last two Premier League games following his long range strike to beat Artue Boruc midweek. The Spaniard has been in fine form to start 2014. The Arsenal defence had been playing well before conceding 2 goals in a single game for the first time since their 6-3 thrashing at Manchester City before Christmas.

Aaron Ramsey did not make his return on Tuesday as originally expected after suffering a set back in training, whilst Mathieu Flamini picked up a late red card for a two-footed challenge to rule him out of this game.

Crystal Palace WWLDL

Jason Puncheon has scored the only goal in each of Crystal Palace’s last two games to help his side to 6 points and move 4 points above the relegation zone heading into the weekend.

Tony Pulis has improved the Eagles’ defence since taking over from Ian Holloway – his side have kept 5 clean sheets in his 11 Premier League games in charge.

Crystal Palace have a few injuries in their squad but Jonathan Parr (doubt) and Kagisho Dikgacoi the only that can be considered first team contenders for Pulis.

Head-to-head

Arsenal were 2-0 winners when these two met at Selhurst Park back in October.  The Gunners had to wait until 2 minutes into the second half to break the deadlock against a then managerless Palace.  Mikel Arteta scored from the penalty spot following Adlène Guedioura’s rash challenge on Serge Gnabry in the box.  The Spaniard was later sent off but the home side failed to capitalise before Olivier Giroud wrapped up the points late on.

Premier League stats

Absentees

Arsenal
Abou Diaby (injury)
Jack Wilshere (injury)
Mathieu Flamini (suspended)
Yaya Sanogo (injury)
Aaron Ramsey (injury)
Theo Walcott (injury)

Crystal Palace
Kagisho Dikgacoi (injury)
Glenn Murray (injury)
Jerome Thomas (injury)

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