Arsenal predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: Colossal defender returns to XI

Arsenal will continue their 2023/24 Premier League campaign on Sunday evening, in the only top flight fixture of the day. They face a short trip across London to face Crystal Palace, with both teams winning by a one-goal margin in the opening fixture of this campaign. In this article, I will put forward my Arsenal predicted lineup for this fixture.

Going into this fixture, the Gunners are the favourites. Of course, it’s never easy to face a Roy Hodgson-managed side, especially away from home, however, Mikel Arteta is in contention for the title. Therefore, this is a game he must win.

To maximise his chances, he will play his strongest XI. It’s too early to think about squad rotation, with the Champions League yet to commence for some time.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace

For Arsenal, there are injury concerns. The main players who Arteta will have to work around are Gabriel Jesus and Jurrien Timber, with the latter expected to be a more serious injury than the former. Other absentees include Balogun, Elneny and Lokonga.

It was an anticipated starting XI for Mikel Arteta in the opening fixture, with the only controversial shout being to bench Gabriel for new signing Jurrien Timber. With Timber picking up that knee injury, the Brazilian Gabriel will return to the starting XI.

Further, the absence of Timber is aided by the return of Alex Zinchenko. The Ukraine international has recently returned to training, hoping to push for a place in the starting eleven for Monday.

Otherwise, it should be a routine team for, hopefully, a routine win. There is competition for the goalkeeper spot, with David Raya’s signing officially announced. However, I would expect Aaron Ramsdale to keep his spot for now. It would be a quick turnaround and harsh on Ramsdale to give Raya his debut in this fixture.

Arsenal predicted lineup: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, ZInchenko; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli