The Gameweek begins in South London where a beleaguered Crystal Palace, bruised by a Monday night battering at the hands of Fulham and stripped of their manager, look to make a recovery. Sadly for them, they’re facing the league leaders: an Arsenal side brimming with goals and creativity. Hardly a hangover cure.
While the Gunners come into today’s game from their own defeat, the 2-1 setback to Dortmund is unlikely to have caused too many tremours in an Emirates camp that appears to be oozing confidence. Arsene Wenger may have looked to rest a few of his name players for today’s visit to Selhurst Park but decides against it, fielding his expected lineup as Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky drop to the bench to allow Santi Cazorla and Mathieu Flamini to make returns.
In contrast, Palace ring the changes. Monday’s defeat and Ian Holloway’s subsequent departure has led to caretaker boss, Kieth Millen, to make no less than six alterations, bringing in Danny Gabbidon, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Barry Bannan, Jerome Thomas, Ardlene Guedioura and Marouane Chamakh. Jose Campana drops out of the squad, while Adrian Mariappa, Stuart O’Keefe, Yannick Bolasie, Jason Puncheon and Dwight Gayle are all benched.
Our Dugout Discussion chatroom is now open to cover your real-time requirements during this early kick-off and will remain so, right up until the final whistle in the day’s final encounter.
