Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Sun 17th April 16:00

[Whitechapel]

TEAM NEWS
Arsenal are expected to recall keeper Petr Cech in place of David Ospina, who started against West Ham last weekend.

Jack Wilshere is not ready to be involved despite having played for the Under-21 side following his recovery from a broken leg.

Dwight Gayle will not face the Gunners due to a leg muscle problem but Crystal Palace are hopeful he will be fit for next weekend's FA Cup semi-final.

Wilfried Zaha will have a late fitness test on a shoulder problem.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• Crystal Palace have only won three of the 38 meetings (D10, L25).
• Palace's solitary Premier League victory against Arsenal came away in October 1994.
• Arsenal are on a six-game winning streak in this fixture.

Arsenal

• Arsenal have won two of their last five home league games (D1, L2).
• They have yet to win a home league London derby this season (D1, L2).
• Alex Iwobi has registered two goals and two assists in his first three league starts.
• Olivier Giroud is enduring his worst-ever Premier League goalscoring drought of 11 games. He has, however, scored in three of his four Premier League starts against the Eagles.

Crystal Palace

• Jason Puncheon's first goal of the season last weekend gave Palace their first league win in 15 matches since 19 December.
• They have kept two consecutive clean sheets, having previously gone 12 league games without one.
• They are without a win in their last seven away league games (D4, L3).
• Former Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor has scored on two of his last three appearances as a visiting player at the Emirates Stadium.

 

[Whitechapel]

With Palace pretty much out of the relegation bog, and us fighting for top 4 I suppose we have more to fight for. Though as I've mentioned time and again, what should be a routine win against an inferior foe is normally a tough old affair, so I think this will be as tight as a nuns vajayjay.

We shall win 2-0 with both goals coming in the last 20 minutes. Elneny will pull the strings and be rewarded with a goal. Alexis with the second.

 

[smat]

Erm, we're 1-0 up by the way.

Hopefully the goal will draw Palace out a bit more. It's been very boring and we've really lacked urgency.

 

[Skinner]

We should cash in on Bolasie in the summer

 

[Jarv]

Cech should have done better with that

 

[JimJams]

We should cash in on Bolasie in the summer

Aha...

 

[smat]

That was so fucking bad.

We're fourth!!!! Hahahahahaha!!

No wonder so many people want a change now. It's just the same fucking script, over and over and over again.

 

[Skinner]

Aha...

We should, he's greedy. Important goal but you throw shit at a wall 100 times its eventually going to stick

 

[G-Dragon]

hahahha Cech was supposed to be 10+ points this season!

 

[smat]

https://twitter.com/_JamesLorenzo/status/721741704823484418/video/1

 

[JimJams]

We should, he's greedy. Important goal but you throw shit at a wall 100 times its eventually going to stick

Do you think he's just naturally greedy or do you think he's lost faith in his options? You've not exactly got a prolific frontman.

 

[Skinner]

Do you think he's just naturally greedy or do you think he's lost faith in his options? You've not exactly got a prolific frontman.

When he first joined he always looked for the pass, but as the years have gone on he's become more selfish. He's just taking the piss this season though, he doesn't even look, just head down run & shoot.

Could be a lack of faith, but I reckon he's got a bit above his station. Maybe it's Pardew's instruction. Either way it's incredibly frustrating to watch, even when it does pay off.

 

[G-Dragon]

There is more atmosphere at the funeral than Emptirates though. Bet half of the crowd didn't even see the Arsenal goal lol.

 

[silkyman]

LOL at Arsenal fans still booing Adebayor's every touch.

Must have struggled to make themselves heard through all the empty red seats.

 

[JimJams]

Must have struggled to make themselves heard through all the empty red seats.

OH YES HE DID!

 

[Christian Slater]

Certainly a United front.

 

[JimJams]

"Thanks Jack, but you're no longer needed here at the Emirates, find yourself a new club."

 

[Jarv]

LOL oops

 

[Whitechapel]

OH YES HE DID!

I've never been so insulted in all my life.

Keeping in mind the midwife slapped my face by mistake.

 

[silkyman]

OH YES HE DID!

I thought that was the funniest thing on the planet?

When the United cartel do it, they fall over themselves to backslap in self congratulation.

 

[Christian Slater]

"Cartel"

 

[silkyman]

Hmmm. Couldn't find the video.

http://www.montypython.net/scripts/herecomes.php

 

[Christian Slater]

 

[Jamie_SFC]

Don't you fam all leave blud on 75mins blud anyway blud? Seriously fam.

 

[Stevencc]

I understand.