By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-01-20 05:14:19
Arsenal are welcoming back striker Gabriel Jesus, who missed the FA Cup defeat against Liverpool due to a minor knee problem. Oleksandr Zinchenko has been absent from two games due to a calf injury and is currently being assessed. Fabio Vieira may also be in contention for the upcoming game after being out for two months due to injury. Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is expected to be available after returning to training following a hamstring issue. However, Jordan Ayew is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations and Michael Olise remains out due to injury.
In the last 47 league meetings between Crystal Palace and Arsenal, Palace has only won five times, with only two of those wins taking place away from home – 2-1 at Highbury in 1994 and 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium in 2019. Under Roy Hodgson, Palace has remained unbeaten in their past three Premier League visits to Arsenal. Although they lost 4-1 at the Emirates last season under caretaker management, Arsenal has won three consecutive Premier League encounters against them recently.
Arsenal has struggled recently, only taking four points from their last 15 available. They have also faced difficulty in scoring, with just one goal from 61 shots in their past three fixtures. The team is also at risk of suffering four consecutive defeats in all competitions for the first time since 2018. They could also lose three matches in a row at home without scoring for the first time since 1908. Additionally, Arsenal have dropped points in all three London derbies at the Emirates this season and could lose three consecutive London derbies for the first time since 1993. The team has conceded 10 league goals from the last 19 shots on target they have faced.
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