Arsenal have likely already accepted that the Premier League title is out of reach, but their match against Crystal Palace could still have major implications. If the Gunners lose, Liverpool could be officially crowned champions. However, Mikel Arteta’s side will be confident they can delay any title celebrations, given their strong home form; they’ve only lost three of their last 36 Premier League games at home. That said, two of those defeats came in London derbies, both against West Ham.
Their confidence will be further boosted after a dominant 4-0 win over ten-man Ipswich on Sunday, which extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 11 matches,. Arsenal fans might expect a similar outcome here, especially since their team has won the last six games against Crystal Palace, scoring five goals in each of the last two league meetings.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, recovered well from two heavy defeats to Manchester City and Newcastle, both of which saw them concede five goals. They showed real fight to hold Bournemouth to a 0-0 draw, despite playing over half the, with only five teams collecting more since the start of the year.
Manager Oliver Glasner has done a solid job at Selhurst Park, and he’ll be hoping for another strong performance here against a local rival. Palace have won their last two away London derbies in the Premier League, and they haven’t won three in a row in the competition since a run between April 1995 and November 1997.
Gabriel Martinelli could be one to watch for Arsenal, the in-form winger has scored five goals in his last five Premier League matches against Palace, including two in stoppage time during last season’s 5-0 home win. For Palace, Jean-Philippe Mateta has also been dangerous in derby matches, contributing four goals and one assist in his last seven London derbies in the league.
Arsenal will be encouraged by another impressive record, they are unbeaten in their last 42 home Premier League matches when scoring first.
