Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal welcome manager-less Crystal Palace to the Emirates, where Palace hope to avoid getting trounced
ARSENAL V CRYSTAL PALACE
After a season that netted Arsenal the FA Cup, a summer that saw them bring in Alexis Sanchez and a beginning to their 2014/2015 campaign that found them lifting the Community Shield after beating Manchester City, confidence is as high as ever in north London. While Arsene Wenger’s men are amongst the favorites, they still have weaknesses that have been failed to addressed; but they’ll welcome fellow London club Crystal Palace to the Emirates without manager of the year Tony Pulis.
Pulis and Palace parted ways within the last day or two, after the continued row over transfer targets and available funds forced the manager to call time on his tenure at Selhurst Park. Palace could have come to the Emirates seeking a result with Pulis in charge; now manager-less, they’ll just be hoping not to get trounced by the Gunners.
While Arsenal have had an excellent summer, Palace dropped the ball when it comes to building on last season’s success, which could well culminate in a complete capitulation tomorrow.
Predicted Starting XI’s
Arsenal (4-3-3): Wojceich Szczesny; Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers, Laurent Koscielny, Mathieu Debuchy; Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey; Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez
Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Wayne Hennessey; Joel Ward, Scott Dann, Brede Hangeland, Martin Kelly; Joe Ledley, Mile Jedinak, Barry Bannan; Dwight Gayle, Frazier Campbell, Jason Puncheon
Staff Score Predictions
Drew: Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace
Ben: Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
James: Arsenal 3-1 Crystal Palace
Ross: Arsenal 4-0 Crystal Palace
Luke: Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace