Palace v Arsenal

Selhurst Park, Sunday 1.30pm

Selhurst Park

Team news

Crystal Palace have no new injury worries with just Marouane Chamakh (hamstring) and Julian Speroni (finger) out of action. Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy is likely to remain in goal for the Eagles.

Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez is in contention for a starting role after his extended break following the Copa America.

Midfielder Tomas Rosicky is recovering from knee surgery, along with Jack Wilshere after the hairline fracture to his left fibula, while striker Danny Welbeck (knee) is not yet fit.

Palace (from): Hennessey, A McCarthy, Ward, Mariappa, Hangeland, P McCarthy, Dann, Cabaye, Bamford, Bolasie, Campbell, Zaha, Jedinak, Gayle, Murray, McArthur, Fryers, Williams, Mutch, Souare, Lee, Delaney, Bannan, Ledley, Kelly, Puncheon, Guedioura.

Arsenal (from): Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Ramsey, Sanchez, Giroud, Ospina, Arteta, Debuchy, Cazorla, Walcott, Gabriel, Chambers, Gibbs.

Stat attack with Andy Newts

- Last season’s repeat fixture ended 1-2

- Arsenal did the 2-1 double over Palace last season

- Arsenal have scored at least 2 in their last 5 vs Palace

- Palace have scored just twice in their last 4 games vs Arsenal

- 3 of the last 4 head-to-heads have been draws at HT

- Arsenal are unbeaten in 11 vs Palace

- Palace last beat Arsenal in 1994 (Prem)

Quotes

Roy Hodgson

"Cabyae is a fantastic player. He's definitely at the level of Arsenal's players. don't think anyone at Arsenal would disagree with that. 'He would get in their team. In the season to come [you can see] how strong the lower Premier League teams are.

"Look at West Ham, look at us, we're stronger, Stoke, their signing this week is fantastic. That second tier is getting stronger.

'The competition there [at PSG] was immense. He didn't really have a tough time there, [he was] just frustrated. Like Dwight Gayle, he's just frustrated that he wants to play. I applaud that.

"There needs to be enthusiasm from the player to come to a football club. I think the lads here took him under their wing. They understand he is the benchmark for our player staff."

Joel Ward

“We know they are going to be a force, but if we are on our game then we have got every chance. We know we have got a tough start to the season, but we will do everything we can to come out of these games with some points.

“We are growing in confidence. We gave Arsenal two good games last year and were unfortunate not to get something the two times we played them.”

Arsene Wenger

“Every defeat makes you a bit smaller but it is our job to take into perspective. There are 37 games to go and we have history behind us that shows we have the ability to respond always. We know it is how you respond to these kind of things that will make our season.

“It will be a tighter and tougher league because the quality of teams in the lower table has improved and I believe that what gives you a good indication is when you look at the bench of the team you players. When you look at the bench of the lower teams it indicates you will have tough games.

“Palace have made a great addition because they had a good striking force and they have Cabaye who can fire them from a distance. He has a good eye, he plays a good long pass and that could be very important for Crystal Palace. I always liked the player but he plays in an area where we have a high number of players.”

Ian Wright

"I will be at Selhurst Park to watch the two teams that I am closest to, Crystal Palace and Arsenal, play each other. Being totally honest, especially this early in the season, it is a situation where all I want is an entertaining high-scoring draw.

"But whatever happens I am not going to be sitting there next to Palace chairman Steve Parish and jumping up when Arsenal score, just like I would not do it if the Eagles score.

"If I go and watch either team play in other games and they score against different opposition then of course I celebrate but, against each other, I have got to be respectful to both sets of fans because whatever I do could be misconstrued as a preference.

"People already think I prefer Arsenal when I love both clubs in equal amounts simply because I got so much joy from both of them.

"Obviously Arsenal have got a special place in my heart because my great friend, the late David Rocastle, used to play for them with me and I won all the medals I wanted to win there. I fulfilled my dreams with the Gunners.

"But in the same way I have got a special love for Palace because they gave me the opportunity to play professionally and I would never have tasted any glory without making that first step."

Arsenal - league stats

Full league table

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
21/02/2015	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 2	Arsenal
16/08/2014	League	Arsenal	2 - 1	Crystal Palace
02/02/2014	League	Arsenal	2 - 0	Crystal Palace
26/10/2013	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 2	Arsenal
14/02/2005	League	Arsenal	5 - 1	Crystal Palace

All time results

Last meeting

Palace 1-2 Arsenal

Saturday February 21 2015

Palace: Speroni, Souare, Ward, Delaney, Dann, Gayle (Murray, 79), Ledley (Ameobi, 80), Puncheon, Zaha, Mutch, Campbell (Bolasie, 57)

Subs not used: Kelly, Hennessey, Jedinak, Hangeland

Goals: Murray (90)

Bookings: Mutch

Arsenal: Ospina, Koscielny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Welbeck (Gibbs, 77), Coquelin, Cazorla, Sanchez (Paulista, 89), Ozil (Rosicky, 76), Giroud

Subs not used: Szczesny, Wilshere, Bellerin, Walcott

Goals: Cazorla (pen 8), Giroud (45)

Bookings: Giroud, Coquelin, Chambers

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