Crystal Palace vs Arsenal – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction | EPL 2022-23

Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal against Fulham at Emirates Stadium-Premier League
Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal against Fulham at Emirates Stadium-Premier League

The Premier League returns this weekend as Arsenal travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace in the first game of the 2022/23 PL season. 

Venue: Selhurst Park (London)

Key Statistics

Crystal Palace lost just one of their last six Premier League games (three wins and two draws).

The hosts scored 3+ goals in five of their nine pre-season games. 

They have kept six clean sheets in their last ten home matches.

Arsenal conceded a joint league-high 65% of their PL goals last term away from home.

They won six of their seven pre-season games, scoring 3+ goals in five of those games. 

They lost their last two away games in the PL.

Head to head

In 26 Premier League meetings between both sides, Crystal Palace have just four wins while Arsenal have 14 wins D8).

Latest performances in all competitions (including friendlies)

Crystal Palace: W-W-D-W-L

Arsenal: W-L-W-W-W

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace will look to begin the new season where they left off last season when they welcome Arsenal to Selhurst Park on Friday night.

The Eagles are optimistic this season after a busy summer where they have brought in reinforcements. They will now hope that their summer additions can help them build on last season’s 12th place finish in the Premier League (PL). 

Manager Patrick Vieira is hoping to guide Palace to a first top-half finish since 2014/15 and will look to begin that quest with a win over his former side. The former Arsenal man beat the Gunners 3-0 the last time both sides met on this ground and will be confident of a repeat performance in this game.

The hosts come into this game unbeaten in their last six matches at home in the league (W3, D3). They have enjoyed an impressive pre-season, winning five of their nine friendly games and losing only to Liverpool (2-0) and Manchester United (3-1). 

Meanwhile, Vieira will be without summer signing Sam Johnstone, who continues to recover from a thigh injury. Jack Butland, James McArthur and Michael Olise will also miss the game with varying injuries, but Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi Eze are expected to lead the line.

Possible Crystal Palace starting line-up

Vicente Guaita; Nathaniel Clyne, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell; Cheikhou Kouyate, Jeffrey Schlupp; Eberechi Eze, Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha; Odsonne Edouard.

Injured: Michael Olise, Sam Johnstone, Jack Butland, James McArthur

Doubtful: None  

Suspended: None 

Arsenal

After a disappointing end to the last Premier League season, Arsenal will look to hit the ground running this term when they take on Crystal Palace in the season’s curtain raiser at Selhurst Park. 

Mikel Arteta’s side have enjoyed a strong pre-season, winning six of their seven games, including a 6-0 win over Sevilla in their last outing and a 4-0 win over London rivals Chelsea.

They will look to transfer that pre-season form into the league as they aim for a strong start that will set them on the right course for a top-four finish. 

With the additions of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fábio Vieira this summer, the Gunners will feel that they are well prepared for the season and will fancy their chances of getting off a flier in this game. 

Meanwhile, Arteta will be without Emile Smith-Rowe, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Fábio Vieira for this game as all four players are currently nursing minor injuries. 

Possible Arsenal starting line-up

Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, Gabriel, William Saliba, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Granit Xhaka, Tomas Partey; Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus.

Injured: Emile Smith-Rowe, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Fábio Vieira

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None 

Prediction

Crystal Palace 1-3 Arsenal