Arsenal is preparing for another London derby as they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in a Premier League clash this Saturday evening. This marks a quick rematch for the two teams, following Arsenal’s recent 3-2 victory over Palace in the EFL Cup quarter-final. That win, powered by a Gabriel Jesus hat-trick, secured Arsenal’s place in the semi-finals despite a late scare from Eddie Nketiah’s header.
This victory provided a much-needed boost for Mikel Arteta’s squad, who had been held to back-to-back Premier League draws against Fulham and Everton. These results left Arsenal in third place in the league standings, six points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand. Meanwhile, Palace occupies 15th place in the mid-season rankings and will aim to reverse their fortunes against their London rivals.
Kieran Tierney, who returned to action for Arsenal after a year and a half during the EFL Cup, experienced cramp in the second half but is not expected to miss the derby. The Scottish defender appears likely to be available for Saturday’s game despite this minor setback. Declan Rice, who sustained a knock during the draw with Everton, was rested for the cup match but is also expected to make a return to the lineup.
On the other hand, Oleksandr Zinchenko remains a major doubt due to a muscular injury that has kept him out since before the Fulham game. While the Ukrainian defender has made some progress, his chances of featuring against Palace are slim. Similarly, Riccardo Calafiori is recovering from a second knee injury this season, and his involvement in the upcoming match seems highly unlikely.
In more concerning news, Ben White continues his recovery from knee surgery and is not expected back for several months. The right-back remains one of Arsenal’s long-term absentees, leaving a gap in the defensive lineup. Takehiro Tomiyasu, another defensive option, is also sidelined indefinitely after suffering a second serious knee injury this year, just as he had recovered from his previous setback.
The combination of these injuries presents challenges for Arteta as he navigates Arsenal’s busy schedule. However, the recent cup victory and the potential return of key players like Rice and Tierney offer hope for maintaining momentum. Arsenal’s squad depth will be tested, especially in defense, but the team remains focused on closing the gap with Liverpool at the top of the table.
As the Gunners prepare to clash with Crystal Palace once again, fans will be eager to see if they can replicate their recent success and continue their pursuit of silverware. With crucial players fighting to return from injury, Arsenal faces a balancing act between managing fitness and delivering results in this critical phase of the season.
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