Vista Previa para Arsenal – Crystal Palace
It’s far to say that Arsenal’s season isn’t going to plan. After missing out on the Champions League for the first time in an eternity last season The Gunners opened the cheque book to bring in Alexandre Lacazette, with many fans hopeful that this would rocket them back to challenge for the title. It hasn’t exactly turned out that way.
In fact, The Gunners sit down in 6th position in the Premier League with an eight point deficit on that all important top four spot, and to make matters worse they could end the winter transfer window without Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
Adding to their woes is their current run of form. They lost to Bournemouth last time out to make it five games without a win in all competitions, with dismal losses to The Cherries and Nottingham Forest being the low points of 2018 so far.
At home Arsenal are winless in two as well, but it’s important to note that both of these have ended all square against very tough opposition in Liverpool and Chelsea. These draws, and their early December loss to Manchester United, are their only failures to win at The Emirates in the Premier League this season, with all of their matches against the bottom 16 clubs ending in victory.
Crystal Palace will provide tough opposition after their resurgence. They beat a tough Burnley side last weekend to make it four wins from their last eight games, but one of these eight games was a 3-2 loss at home to Arsenal in December, and whilst their recent run of form is excellent they have had it pretty easy in terms of the fixture list.
One thing very worrying about the state of affairs at The Emirates is Arsenal’s defence. They have shipped eight goals in their last four league games there, and are facing a Palace side who have scored seven in their last four away from home. In fact, The Eagles have scored in eight of their last nine competitive matches, and considering Arsenal have conceded in six of their last nine matches backing Both Teams to Score looks a good choice.
