Prediction: Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

Verdict: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Marking their return from the international break on Monday night, Arsenal will welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates for a London derby.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal were last seen heading into the international break with a flat display away at Brighton, the Gunners did find themselves enjoying a September boost. Despite enduring what was a dreadful start to the 2021/22 campaign, the north London outfit have managed to bounce back from that 5-0 drumming at the hands of Manchester City at the end of August. Despite having to settle for that flattering 0-0 stalemate on the south coast last time out, Mikel Arteta’s side are in the midst of a five-match unbeaten run across all formats. With that run highlighted by a stellar 3-1 romp against bitter rivals Tottenham on September 26th, Pep Guardiola’s former right-hand man also managed to claim the Premier League’s Manager of the Month award. Hoping to extend on their recent purple patch when they return from the international break on Monday night, it should also be noted that Arsenal have conceded just a single goal on their five-match unbeaten run.

Team News

Arsenal have confirmed that midfielder Granit Xhaka will once again miss out on Monday night as he deals with a knee injury.

Likewise, forward Gabriel Martinelli is also expected to be missing at the Emirates.

Crystal Palace

As for the visitors, managing to head into the international break with an eye-catching comeback at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace will be desperate to spring an upset on their travels. Snatching a deserved point against Leicester earlier in the month after coming from two goals down, former Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira is calling for his new side to find some stability. While the south London outfit might have stunned many as they stormed their way to that 3-0 romp against Tottenham last month, they have managed to land just a single Premier League victory since opening the 2021/22 campaign. Also crashing out of the EFL Cup thanks to a sluggish defeat against Watford, the one-time Nice boss will know that his side must make some improvements on the road. Continuing on from last season, the Eagles have picked up just a single point from their last five top-flight fixtures away from Selhurst Park.

Team News

Nathan Ferguson and Ebere Eze are still dealing with long-term injury issues and will once again be missing on Monday night.

However, in a boost for the Eagles, boss Patrick Vieira has reported a clean bill of health from his international players who have returned from World Cup qualifying duty.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Monday’s opponents last faced off back in May, Arsenal picked up a 3-1 victory at Selhurst Park.
• Seven of the last eight meetings between Arsenal and Crystal Palace have finished with both teams finding the net.
• However, the Gunners have conceded just a single goal in any of their last five matchups across all formats.
• Likewise, Arsenal have collected 10 points from their last four Premier League fixtures.
• Crystal Palace have won just one of their first seven Premier League matchups since opening the 2021/22 campaign.

Conclusion

While Arsenal might have put in a sluggish display when heading into the international break, they should be looking to make an immediate return to winning ways on Monday night. Enjoying a September boost and picking up 10 points from their last four Premier League contests, Mikel Arteta’s side will be smelling a chance on home soil. Despite mounting that impressive comeback against Leicester earlier in the month, Palace have shown some inconsistencies since opening the new season. Recording just a single victory across any format so far, it should also be noted that Arsenal picked up a 3-1 victory when the two sides faced off back in May.

Verdict: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet