Arsenal head into a game against Crystal Palace with a top four place very much on the agenda. The Gunners are one point off 4th placed Southampton, and just 2 points behind Manchester United in third. With Liverpool and Tottenham on form and just a few points behind them, the Gunners can’t afford any slip ups in this fixture.
Key Crystal Palace Player: Marouane ChamakhÂ
Chamakh will want to prove a point against his old club, and he’s found his best form under Pardew. With Yaya Sanogo ineligible for this game, Chamakh will almost certainly start, and he will be Palace’s main threat going forward. Chamakh may play as an attacking midfielder, meaning Coquelin will have to nullify a different threat to what he is used too. I’m sure Chamakh will want to do well in this game and we will see if he can find his early Arsenal form.
Key Arsenal Player:Â Olivier Giroud
Giroud was brilliant in the last game, scoring a great brace at the Emirates. The Gunners will need a focal point in attack if they are to break down Palace, Giroud can be just that. He will have to perform at his best in order to keep his place ahead of the fit-again Danny Welbeck. With 10 goals already this season, despite his lengthy injury – Giroud looks in the form of his career at times. Hopefully that can continue tomorrow.
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I think Palace will set up to frustrate Arsenal and use their pace out wide to catch the Gunners on the break. I expect them to follow the traditional blueprint of how to beat Arsenal. Sit back and break. Arsenal are likely to dominate possession but I think they may struggle to find many openings in Palace’s defence. If Cazorla, Ozil, Alexis and Giroud are on their best form though, the Gunners will be extremely hard to keep out. I think the first goal will be extremely key in this one. Arsenal will need to be patient, otherwise they risk pushing forward to much, being caught on the break and then facing an uphill struggle to break down the Palace defence twice.
Prediction:Â Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal
Palace have proven to be a tough nut to crack under Alan Pardew. He has inspired his team to be more efficient at both ends of the pitch and the Gunners will need to be at their best to win this one. I expect we will have enough quality to come out on top though. The Gunners are in good form of late and have enough to come out on top. I think we will see goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud.
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