Premier League: The Gunners Love a London Derby

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

The Premier League tiff between Crystal Palace and Arsenal is the Monday night football on offer, and it’s a game which will attract plenty of attention as one of the younger managers in the top-flight faces the elder statesman.

Yes, the title-chasing Gunners are bossed by the upwardly mobile Mikel Arteta while, at 76 years of age, Palace boss Roy Hodgson is as enthusiastic as the day he took over as Bristol City manager back in 1982.

It’s a London Derby with lots of intrigue, and the Premier League 2023 betting odds reckon it could be another good day for the Gunners.

Arteta’s men were unbeaten in 12 Premier League derbies last season, winning 10 and drawing two to record the most London Derby victories by any team in a single top-flight season.

Both teams started the campaign well with positive Premier League 2023 results. Palace opened up with a 1-0 win away to Sheffield United, while Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at home.

Champions and 2023/24 favourites Manchester City are at home to Newcastle United this weekend and are expected to win, so Arsenal must maintain their capital city domination to avoid slipping behind too early.

Talking Points

Roy’s Palace is solid but small

Crystal Palace are hoping to win their opening two Premier League matches for just the second time in their history, having done so when Hodgson was the boss in 2020. He returned to Selhurst Park in March following the sacking of Patrick Vieira after a winless run of 12 games had left the Eagles just three points above the drop zone.

And Crystal Palace’s results picked up immediately, as they accumulated 21 points from his 11 in charge, even more than Arsenal’s 18 over that period, but the wily manager knows he’s in for a fight again this season.

The loss of talisman Wilfried Zaha to Galatasaray has left a gaping hole at the South London club, and one which will take some filling, though Eberechi Eze made a good attempt with a glittering display against Sheffield United last week.

And there has been more good news for Palace following Michael Olise’s decision to stay at the club after he fended off an approach from big spending Chelsea.

Olise has signed a new four-year deal, but the exciting wide-man won’t be playing for a while after he tore a hamstring playing for France U21s.

“It was a nasty injury,” said Hodgson. “Wilfried had the same injury and returned to playing and we are fortunate that he will be the lower end of the scale.”

There is better news in that Marc Guehi should be fit to play after limping off during the win over the Blades. Hodgson doesn’t have a huge squad and he needs his key men fit.

Dependable Gunners can shoot down the Eagles

After leading the race for so much of the 2022/23 title, the Gunners must go again, and Mikel Arteta knows he must win this type of game to have any chance of toppling the Sky Blues this time around.

Last year, Arsenal were relentless against bottom half sides, losing just twice against Everton and Nottingham Forest and having an aggregate score of 57 to 17 against the bottom 10.

Arteta signalled his intentions with the marquee signing of Declan Rice, and the defencive midfielder can be a huge player for the Gunners.

But another of his summer recruits, Jurrien Timber, will miss out against the Eagles after he picked up a serious knee injury during the victory over Nottingham Forest, and he will be out until well into the New Year. That means Oleksandr Zinchenko is likely to step in as he has recovered from a calf strain.

Up front, Gabriel Jesus is sidelined after completing minor knee surgery, and that gives Kai Havertz a chance to shine.

Meanwhile, on the flanks, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka will taunt the Palace full-backs. Assuming he plays, Saka is set to equal Paul Merson’s record of appearing in 82 consecutive Premier League games between 1995 and 1997.

History

The Gunners have had much the better of the head-to-heads, winning 14 matches to the Eagles’ four, and there have been eight draws in this fixture in all competitions since 1994.

Last year, Arsenal did the double over Crystal Palace, winning 4-1 at the Emirates and 2-0 at Selhurst Park, but both teams come into this game with solid pre-seasons behind them. During the offseason games, Palace have won four from six, while Arsenal have won five from six.

Crystal Palace are unbeaten in eight games at Selhurst Park, but Hodgson is winless in all four of his Premier League meetings with Mikel Arteta, drawing two and losing two while managing Watford and Crystal Palace.

Betting Tip

London Derbies are the flavour of the weekend with Fulham hosting Brentford on Saturday and Chelsea and West Ham coming head-to-head on Sunday.

And then, it’s the turn of Arsenal and Crystal Palace. It’s going to be a fascinating clash, but I think the Gunners will have too much for the post-Zaha Palace.

The Eagles are at SBOTOP odds of 4.74 to give Hodgson his first win over Arteta. Meanwhile, the draw is at 3.78, and Arsenal can be backed at 1.58.

 

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