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PREVIEW: Arsenal v Crystal Palace, Injury News, Preferred XI & Prediction

By on February 1, 2014

Arsenal take on Crystal Palace at the Emirates tomorrow and it’s vital we bounce back from Tuesday’s disappointing draw with Southampton.

I’ve not seen us play as poorly this season as we did in the opening 45 minutes that day and it’s important we start quickly tomorrow and get the job done. We simply can not afford to drop points if we have any desire of winning the title.

With City and Chelsea facing each other on Monday, this is a huge opportunity as we’re guaranteed that at least one of our rivals will drop points, so lets not mess it up.

However, Palace look a different team under Tony Pulis. He’s got them organised at the back and they come to the Emirates off the back of successive wins that have taken out of the drop zone, so we can’t turn up with the attitude that this game is won before we’ve even kicked off. A professional display is needed.

Injury News

We have problems in midfield as Mathieu Flamini begins his three-match ban following his reckless sending off against the Saints.

Aaron Ramsey is out for at least a month and Jack Wilshere is also missing with an ankle knock, so it leaves one of Tomas Rosicky – who’s available again – or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to play in the middle alongside Mikel Arteta.

I’d like to see Lukas Podolski given a start on the left with Santi moved over to the right. The front three usually switch positions during the game anyway, but Podolski’s goal threat is needed with Theo out.

Kieran Gibbs should come in for Monreal as the Spaniard was poor in midweek, but otherwise we’ll be unchanged.

Our new signing Kim Kallstrom isn’t available for two reasons. Firstly he wasn’t registered in time, but secondly we’ve learned today that the club inexplicably decided to sign the 31-year-old despite knowing he had a back injury. The problem flared up in his very first training session and he’s now been ruled out for at least six games. The less said about this mess the better.

Preferred XI

Prediction & Betting Tip

For the  gamblers who are reading, my tip would be over 2.5 goals and Arsenal to win 3-0. Don’t forget to look for the best sport betting offers that are available as you can find some excellent welcome bonuses. The odds of an Arsenal 3-0 win are around 6/1 which should be worth a tenner. Cazorla to score is also a bet I like the look of as he’s been in superb form of late. A home win is vitally important here and the key will be playing at a high tempo. Palace are going to keep it tight with men behind the ball and we need to drag them out of position to create space and opportunities. The best way to do that is with plenty of movement and to make runs off the ball. If we can bag an early goal, we’ll coast it.

Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace  COYG!!!

What are your thoughts on the game?

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