Arteta to make two changes vs Crystal Palace as £35m Arsenal star returns to starting XI - view
Arsenal return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The Gunners picked up a sixth consecutive win following their 4-0 rout of Atletico Madrid in the Champions League yesterday.
The focus will now turn to Sunday’s London derby. Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta could make two changes to the starting XI.
Riccardo Calafiori has been an undisputed starter at left-back in the league this season, ahead of club graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Lewis-Skelly started against Atletico last night. He made a terrific forward run before providing the assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s goal.
Despite this, we are likely to see a straight swap with Calafiori reclaiming his starting league spot.
Lewis-Skelly previously had a good outing against Olympiacos in Europe with 13 duels won, but Calafiori reclaimed his starting role in the league.
The Italian has had a fantastic start, registering one goal and two assists from eight starts this season.
The 23-year-old has been superb as an inverting left-back. He was the best attacking outlet during the first half at Fulham last weekend.
Calafiori has barely put a foot wrong this campaign. The £35 million-rated star should be reinstated in the left-back position against Palace.
Alongside him, Leandro Trossard should likewise return to the starting line-up ahead of Gabriel Martinelli.
Trossard has received some criticism from the Gunners’ faithful this campaign, but the manager has continued to place trust in him.
The Belgian has started all four of the previous league games. He has been ineffective in three of those, but scored the winner at Fulham.
Arteta described him as a ‘massive weapon‘ after the victory at Craven Cottage, and it won’t come as a surprise if he is back in the XI.
Martinelli has scored in each of his three Champions League appearances this term, and he has certainly improved with his finishing.
However, Arteta could still place his faith in Trossard, who was instrumental in extending the club’s lead at the top of the league table.
Arsenal have a three-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City, and will be hoping to extend the gap with another derby win against Palace.
The Gunners have drawn one and won six of the last seven meetings. The only stalemate came during the back end of last season at the Emirates.
Palace twice came from behind to share the spoils. Eberechi Eze was one of the goalscorers for the Eagles. Arsenal will be aiming to avenge that result with a win.
Eze was unlucky versus Atletico as his deflected shot hit the woodwork. He has the chance to score his maiden league goal for Arsenal against his former club.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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