Arsenal have found their form in the Premier League, winning three games on the bounce and next up they take on Crystal Palace at home on Thursday.
Nine points from their last three games have helped the Gunners move up to 11th on the league table and right now, they are just six points away from the top-four.
Arsenal beat Newcastle United in the FA Cup on Saturday but the manager is going to make a number of changes to his starting XI in midweek as the big guns look to come back into the side.
Mikel Arteta has only a handful of players missing meaning the Gunners boss should not have a problem in naming his best XI on Thursday. But having said that, Arteta will also have one eye on the stats since the North London side have been winless vs Palace in their last four encounters.
Arsenal team news vs Crystal Palace:
Bernd Leno will keep his place in goal from the Newcastle United game but the defensive line infront of him will see some major changes.
Pablo Mari will keep his place in central defence as Gabriel is still recovering from COVID but David Luiz will be replaced by Rob Holding.
Kieran Tierney has been a stellar performer for Arsenal in their last few matches and will be one of the first names on Arteta’s teamsheet on Thursday. Cedric Soares will make way for Hector Bellerin at right-back.
Elneny and Joe Willock started vs the Magpies on Saturday but both could move to the bench as Thomas Partey is nearing a return to the starting XI. If the summer signing is not fit enough to start then Elneny will likely be partnered by Granit Xhaka in central midfield.
Young Emile Smith-Rowe came off the bench to score vs Newcastle United in the FA Cup but the attacking midfielder is going to start vs Palace in midweek.
Willian and Nicolas Pepe have been underwhelming so far this season and after their outing on Saturday, both of them will move to the bench to make way for Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette.
Gabriel Martinelli picked up an ankle injury right before the Newcastle United game and will not likely recover in time for the Crystal Palace game.
Stats via Whoscored.com.
