Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Premier League Preview

Arsenal’s dominant 4-0 win over Ipswich Town at the weekend extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions and showcased the kind of attacking flair and depth that has kept them in both European and domestic contention. Leandro Trossard’s brace, Gabriel Martinelli’s milestone 50th goal for the club, and a deflected Ethan Nwaneri strike sealed the result after Ipswich were reduced to 10 men.

Despite sitting 13 points behind Liverpool and all but out of the title race, Mikel Arteta's side are in no mood to let standards slip. Their form at the Emirates has remained strong, losing just three of their last 36 home Premier League fixtures (W26, D7), although two of those defeats came in London derbies. They will be wary of Palace’s recent record against fellow capital clubs.

Head-to-Head and Recent Form

Arsenal boast a commanding recent record over Crystal Palace, winning each of the last six meetings and scoring five goals in both of the previous two Premier League encounters. The last time Palace managed to take a point off the Gunners was in a 1-1 draw back in October 2021.

Palace, meanwhile, enter the fixture off the back of a gritty 0-0 draw with Bournemouth, played largely with 10 men after Chris Richards’ red card. That result steadied the ship following back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and Newcastle in which they conceded five goals in each.

Oliver Glasner’s men have shown resilience and form in 2025, collecting 24 points (W7, D3, L4) – a tally bettered by only five teams during that stretch. They’ve also won three London derbies in the league this year and could make it four in a single Premier League season for the first time in their history.

Key Stats

• Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 42 Premier League home matches when scoring first (W36, D6).
• Palace have won their last two Premier League away London derbies; they’ve not won three in a row since a run between 1995 and 1997.
• The Gunners have scored five or more goals in their last two Premier League meetings with Palace.
• Arsenal have kept six clean sheets in their last 11 matches in all competitions.

Team News

Arsenal

• Out: Jorginho (chest), Kai Havertz (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (knee), Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Riccardo Calafiori (knee).
• Doubtful: Bukayo Saka – subbed off after a heavy challenge against Ipswich, but no lasting damage confirmed.
• Likely returns: Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber, and Myles Lewis-Skelly could all feature, while Ethan Nwaneri may be handed more minutes after his goal at the weekend.

Crystal Palace

• Out: Chris Richards (suspended), Chadi Riad (knee), Cheick Doucouré (knee).
• Doubtful: None confirmed from the weekend.
• Possible changes: Nathaniel Clyne could slot into the back three in Richards’ absence. Jefferson Lerma may replace Adam Wharton in midfield, while the rest of the squad appears settled.

Players to Watch

• Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal): The Brazilian has five goals in his last five Premier League games against Palace, including a late brace in last season’s 5-0 win.
• Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace): The striker has contributed to five goals in his last seven London derbies (4 goals, 1 assist).

Key Stat

Arsenal have scored 2+ goals in nine of their last 11 matches across all competitions – a run they’ll hope continues with PSG looming next week.