Crystal Palace travel to north London neighbours Arsenal for our season opener in what is the Eagles first consecutive season in the top flight. Many pundits have tipped newly promoted Burnley and Leicester as relegation fodder but gaffer Tony Pulis and co-chairman Steve Parish have both spoken out in recent weeks over pre-season insisting that survival will once again be the main objective for Palace.
Tony Pulis has cleared out 9 players already most notably both Dean Moxey and Jonathan Parr who have joined Bolton and Ipswich respectively. The lack of ins has been worrying Palace fans all summer, with only the additions being defender Brede Hangeland and striker Fraizer Campbell from Cardiff. Steve Parish has admitted that by Saturday fans should expect 2 more fresh faces at SE25.
Arsene Wenger’s side finished 4th in the Premier League last season and won the FA Cup ending a 9 year trophy drought at the Emirates. The Gunners are in fine fettle having claimed their second trophy in 85 days by winning the FA Community Shield after convincingly beating Premier League champions Manchester City.
Team News
Team news for Saturday’s game is good reading for both managers. Both sides have come through pre-season with minimal injury worries.
Arsenal
‘Die Mannschaft’ trio of Per Mertesacker, Mesut Oezil and Lukas Podolski have just returned to training after an extended break since lifting the World Cup. Theo Walcott will be the only other absentee after being unable to overcome the knee injury that forced him out of the England squad for the World Cup.
Four new faces have arrived in north London, whilst a total of six players (four loans) have departed over the summer. The most notable departure being French defender Bacary Sagna who opted to sign for champions, Manchester City. Alexis Sanchez is arguably their best signing of the window. The winger joined from FC Barcelona on a four year deal for a fee rumoured to be £35m.
Crystal Palace
Palace look set to hand former Fulham captain Brede Hangeland his competitive appearance in red and blue. Damien Delaney is likely to be omitted due to missing the last pre-season game against German side, FC Augsburg. Tony Pulis is set to have a fully fit squad otherwise.
Analysis and Predictions
Prediction for Arsenal: 3rd
They have the quality to keep up with Chelsea and Manchester City however the strength that Chelsea have this season will pay dividends in the long run. Arsenal will need star players such as Mesut Oezil and last season’s top goalscorer Olivier Giroud to perform. Arsenal were at the top of the table for a Premier League high of 128 days. The downfall of their title challenge came due to injuries and their inability to perform against top teams. Against the top three, Arsenal took only five points in 2013/2014 which came at the Emirates. Bare minimum expectation will be to secure Champions League football for another season.
EPL Index Prediction: Arsenal Win
Sky Sports’ pundit Paul Merson Prediction: Arsenal Win
My Prediction: Draw
