Quantcast
Home   >   Features   >   Arsenal vs Crystal Palace preview, team news, possible XI and prediction

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace preview, team news, possible XI and prediction

By on April 15, 2025

ARSENAL

Arsenal will be looking to tighten their grip on second place in the Premier League table when they take on Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on April 23rd.

The Gunners have slipped behind Liverpool in the title race with some poor results in recent weeks all-but ending their title dreams for another season. Mikel Arteta’s men have struggled to string a run of winning results together so haven’t been able to chip away at Liverpool’s lead and it would take a monumental collapse from Arne Slot’s men to prevent them from lifting the title.

Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw away to Everton earlier this month with a controversial penalty just after half-time cancelling out Leandro Trossard’s effort. It was a huge blow not to win this game and allowed Liverpool to further extend their lead at the summit.

Arteta’s men then thrashed Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates. As often happens after a huge European game, they suffered a hangover the following weekend after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Brentford.

Thomas Partey opened the scoring in the 60th minute before Yoane Wissa equalised for the Bees with 15 minutes remaining. Arsenal couldn’t find a late winner so are now 13 points adrift of Liverpool after they secured a late win over West Ham on Sunday.

Even the most optimistic fans with Arsenal tickets know the title is now over, so they need to focus on Europe after putting one foot in the semi-finals. However, the Gunners still have business to do in the league as at least four teams are within touching distance of second place so Arteta will be determined not to let that slip.

As for Palace, they sit comfortably in mid-table after a decent campaign but they’ll be wanting to bounce back following Saturday’s hugely disappointing defeat to Man City. They held a 2-0 lead but slumped to a 5-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium so Oliver Glasner will be keen to get his side back on track.

The Eagles had been in good form before that loss at City having beaten Brighton, Ipswich Town, Aston Villa, Fulham and Man Utd in recent weeks. They’ve also booked their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup where they’ll face Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium so they could yet end the campaign with some silverware.

How to watch

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Wednesday 23rd April. Subscribers can watch the match on their sky box or on Sky Go via mobile or tablet devices.

Alternatively, match going fans can secure their seat at the Emirates Stadium by buying Arsenal vs Crystal Palace tickets through the clubs or via trusted online resellers such as Seatsnet.com.

Team news

Arsenal continue to have limited options up front as Gabriel Jesus has been ruled out for the majority of 2025 following surgery on an ACL injury. The Brazilian international is joined on the sidelines by fellow forward Kai Havertz after he suffered a hamstring tear while away on Arsenal’s warm weather training camp in Dubai in late January.

There have been reports suggesting Havertz is progressing well in his recovery and has been stepping up his rehabilitation in the gym, so there’s a chance he could yet return before the end of the season. However, he’ll play no part in Arsenal’s clash with Palace leaving the Gunners without a recognised striker.

Gabriel Magalhaes has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign after suffering a hamstring injury earlier this month so the North Londoners also have issues in defence. Takehiro Tomiyasu is another long-term absentee as the Japanese international is facing months out following knee surgery.

Riccardo Calafiori is expected to miss the visit of Palace as well after suffering a knee injury while playing for Italy during the March international break. Jorginho is another doubt after he picked up an abdominal problem earlier this month.

As for Palace, they’ll be without Chadi Riad Dnanou for the rest of 2025 after he underwent knee surgery. Cheick Doucoure has also undergone knee surgery and won’t play again this season while Christopher Richards is suspended.

Likely line-up

If Arsenal do reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, Arteta will be tempted to rest some key players for the Palace game as it will be played just a matter of days before the first leg.

However, we’d expect David Raya to retain his place between the sticks while Ben White could start at right-back in order to give Jurrien Timber a breather. Oleksandr Zinchenko could also start at left-back with Myles Lewis-Skelly rested.

If fit, Jorginho will likely start in midfield along with Declan Rice. Martin Odegaard may be handed a rest so Ethan Nwaneri could be given a chance to impress in the attacking midfield role.

Bukayo Saka could be rested ahead of the possible semi-final so Raheem Sterling could start up front while Leandro Trossard could lead the line up front to protect Mikel Merino – who’s been doing a fine job filling in up front. Gabriel Martinelli could complete the front three – although Kieran Tierney could be an option if Arteta wants to rest the Brazilian.

Possible Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Rice, Nwaneri, Sterling, Trossard, Martinelli

Predicted score

Arsenal know the Premier League title is gone so they will be fully focussed on the Champions League. A much changed side will be expected against Palace if they reach the semi finals which will make it a far tougher game.

Palace are a solid side who’ve enjoyed a good season and they can be a match for any team on their day. However, even with a weakened starting eleven, the Gunners should still have enough quality to get a win on home soil.

If Arsenal field their strongest team, I’d expect a comfortable win. If Arteta rests players, then it will be a lot closer with the North Londoners edging it 2-1. Arsenal 2-1 Palace