Arsenal vs Crystal Palace live updates : Premier League score, team news & match analysis

Arsenal welcomes Crystal Palace to the Emirates Stadium in a crucial Premier League clash that could significantly impact the Gunners’ title aspirations. With Arsenal sitting second in the table on 67 points, Mikel Arteta’s men look to maintain pressure on leaders Manchester City as they face a Crystal Palace side currently in 12th position with 45 points. The statistical predictions suggest an exciting encounter between two teams with contrasting styles and objectives.

In Short

Match preview and team selections

Arsenal enters this London derby in impressive form, having won their last five Premier League encounters against Crystal Palace. The Gunners have been particularly dominant in recent meetings, scoring five goals in each of their last two fixtures against the Eagles. This included a commanding 5-0 victory at the Emirates in January 2024, showcasing their superiority in this fixture.

Mikel Arteta has opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with David Raya continuing in goal behind a defense featuring William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Jurriën Timber and the young Myles Lewis-Skelly. Captain Martin Ødegaard anchors the midfield alongside Declan Rice and Thomas Partey, while the attack sees Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Raheem Sterling leading the line. Notably, Bukayo Saka starts on the bench, potentially being preserved for upcoming fixtures in Arsenal’s challenging Premier League run-in.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has set up his team in a 3-4-2-1 system, with Dean Henderson between the posts. Marc Guéhi captains the side in a three-man defense alongside Maxence Lacroix. The midfield four consists of Jefferson Lerma, Tyrick Mitchell, Daichi Kamada, and Adam Wharton, while Eberechi Eze and Jack Devenny support former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah up front. The Eagles’ bench includes Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has been involved in five goals in his last seven Premier League London derbies.

Since 2019, Arsenal has struggled in April home fixtures under Arteta, averaging just 1.5 points per game at the Emirates during this month – their worst monthly home record. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace arrives having won their last two away London derbies, defeating both West Ham and Fulham 2-0, and seeking an unprecedented third consecutive away derby win.

Head-to-head record and key statistics

The historical matchup between these London rivals heavily favors Arsenal, who have won 31 of their encounters compared to Palace’s 5 victories, with 14 draws completing the record. However, Palace did enjoy a brief period of success at the Emirates between 2019 and 2021, going unbeaten in four Premier League away games against Arsenal during that span.

Arsenal’s home form has been formidable recently, losing just three of their last 36 Premier League matches at the Emirates. Two of those defeats came in London derbies, highlighting a potential vulnerability that Palace will hope to exploit. The Gunners remain unbeaten in their last 42 home league games when scoring first, a streak dating back to January 2022 when they lost to Manchester City despite opening the scoring.

Crystal Palace’s recent improvement in London derbies is significant, having won three Premier League London derbies this season. Their last two away London derby victories against West Ham and Fulham represent more wins than in their previous 22 combined. A victory today would match their best-ever season for London derby wins, last achieved in 1990-91.

The advanced match statistics reveal contrasting styles, with Arsenal dominating possession (66% vs 34%) but Palace creating better chances with an xG of 1.07 compared to Arsenal’s 0.13. Palace has registered more shots (7 vs 3), more corners (4 vs 0), and more touches inside the box (12 vs 8), suggesting they’ve started the match with surprising attacking intent at the Emirates.

Individual player matchups also make for interesting viewing. Gabriel Martinelli has proven to be Palace’s nemesis, scoring five goals in his last five Premier League games against them. His six goals against the Eagles represent his highest tally against any opponent. Meanwhile, Declan Rice continues to impress at the Emirates, contributing to seven goals in his last eight home appearances, making him Arsenal’s third-most productive home performer this season behind only Saka and Havertz.

Recent form and implications for the title race

Arsenal enters this fixture with momentum, having recently defeated Ipswich Town in the Premier League and secured a crucial victory against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. The Gunners’ title hopes remain alive as they sit in second place with 67 points, looking to keep pace with leaders Manchester City in a title race reminiscent of last season’s battle that went down to the final matches.

Crystal Palace arrives with mixed recent form, drawing against Bournemouth, losing to Newcastle United and Manchester City, but securing an impressive victory against Brighton in the highly contested M23 derby. Palace’s inconsistency has been a hallmark of their season, but they’ve shown they can pose problems for top teams, particularly in derby matches where the form book often goes out the window.

The implications of this match extend beyond just these two teams, as Newcastle and other top-six contenders watch closely. Arsenal has struggled when teams sit deep and counter, a strategy Palace may employ under Glasner. The Eagles have already demonstrated their ability to frustrate top teams, holding Southampton to a draw and beating Brighton in recent weeks.

Arsenal’s ability to break down organized defenses will be tested today, especially with their unusual front three of Martinelli, Trossard and Sterling rather than their typical attacking trio. The absence of Saka from the starting lineup raises questions about Arteta’s approach to fixture congestion as the season reaches its critical phase.

For Crystal Palace, a positive result at the Emirates would not only boost their mid-table position but also potentially impact the title race in a significant way. The Eagles have been more prolific on the road in London derbies this season than in previous years, suggesting they may fancy their chances of causing an upset similar to the one Liverpool experienced against Manchester City earlier in the season.

With Michael Salisbury officiating and Alex Chilowicz on VAR duties, both teams will be looking to maintain discipline in what promises to be an intense London derby with significant implications at both ends of the Premier League table.