Arsenal and Crystal Palace play the first match of the new Premier League season and all eyes will be on Mikel Arteta’s team.
The Gunners have made notable splashes in the transfer market this summer, spending more than £100 million on new arrivals so everyone will be eager to see how the new-look team performs.
While Arsenal are the overwhelming favourites to win on Friday night but surprisingly, Palace have lost just one out of their previous eight EPL games against the North London club plus they are undefeated in their last six home games.
Mikel Arteta’s side had a solid pre-season, winning all of their matches but their real test will start this Friday at Selhurst Park. They made a horrible start to their previous campaign but they still managed to finish fifth. However, with Spurs and Man United pulling up their socks, there will be absolutely no room for error this time around.
Arsenal team news vs Crystal Palace:
A few days ago, as many as four Arsenal players were out injured but thankfully, almost all of them have made full recoveries and even Mikel Arteta has hinted that they should be ready in time.
“I think that most of them will be (ready),” Arteta said, as quoted. “They’ll have to go through what they need to this week and then hopefully we’ll have them available.
“They are lacking minutes but we’ll have to build that up like any other injury that we get during the season.”
Kieran Tierney and Tomiyasu have both returned to training but the former is not expected to start because summer signing Zinchenko will be given a start at left-back.
Takehiro Tomiyasu back training with the main group. 💪 pic.twitter.com/lsbAZoZ552
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) July 29, 2022
Another summer signing Fabio Vieira has also recovered from his injury but it will be the new club captain Martin Odegaard who will play in the No 10 role.
Gabriel Jesus has taken no time to settle down at his new club and the Brazilian is a guaranteed starter on Friday night. This decision means Eddie Nketiah will once again have to be content with a place on the bench and will only be used as a sub.
Arsenal predicted line up vs Crystal Palace:
Goalkeeper: Ramsdale.
Defenders: Zinchenko, Ben White, Gabriel, Tomiyasu.
Midfielders: Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard.
Forwards: Martinelli/Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus.
