Can Arsenal be stopped?

Can Arsenal continue title charge? 

Arsenal against Crystal Palace in front of the teeming Emirates crowd is the first of a run of games that could see the Gunners end their 19-year wait for the Premier League title.

It is poetic for the North London side that they begin this all-important run with a London derby which will also help them establish superiority among the clubs in the region.

It is also a match which Mikel Arteta will take most seriously. The man who cut his managerial teeth as Pep Guardiola's assistant is still under the microscope for his tactics in their various games. A win will finally begin the tilt towards leniency with his detractors and any other result will put immense pressure on him with 10 games to go.

There is also the small matter of Manchester City breathing down their backs. City under Guardiola have a reputation for being tough customers in a title race and like other seasons, they are silently waiting while racking up their own results.

On the other hand, Patrick Vieira will be returning once again to face the fans who cheered him for years while he led the Gunners to battle as captain. This time around, he will be under the microscope by people who think he is not the right fit to lead Crystal Palace.

However, he will be buoyed by his side's defensive ability and all concerned will hope that they can at least steal a point from the Emirates to help their top 10 bid.

It will be an exciting London derby to follow and stake on and the form guides of both teams will show us why.

Form Guide: Arsenal

Since losing at home to Manchester City which cut their lead at the top of the table from eight to five points, Arsenal have gone on a five game winning run in the Premier League.

Their 4-2, 1-0, 4-0, 3-2 and 3-0 wins are emphatic statements on their intention to fight to the death for the title that has eluded them for 19 years.

Crystal Palace presents another minor obstacle in the grand scheme of things for Mikel Arteta's men, but they will want to be wary of the Eagles and their ability to swoop down and destabilize teams.

Arteta's new set-up that sees Leandro Trossard occupy Gabriel Martinelli's left wing and sees the Brazilian move to the centre has proven to be effective in recent weeks. Trossard is finally showing why Arsenal paid £27 million to Brighton and Hove Albion for him.

More importantly, Gabriel Jesus could make his return against Palace which will also give Arsenal a huge boost for the game and the rest of the season.

Form Guide: Crystal Palace

The Eagles are currently holding down the 12th spot on the log thanks to nothing but their defensive solidity.

Patrick Vieira has instilled a discipline in the team that sees them rarely give up chances in games. And when they do, it is always by a narrow margin of one goal.

The last team to put more than two goals past them without conceding was Tottenham Hotspur. It was a 4-0 victory at Selhurst Park on January 4. Since then, it has been 2-1 and 1-0 losses, as well as 1-1 and 0 - 0 draws. Despite these seemingly good results, their winless run will be a cause of concern.

11 games without a victory coming into a city derby against the team leading the log does not look good for Vieira's men.

Vieira will face a tough test against his former team. He could be eyeing a change in fortunes for his side as well which could make things a lot more interesting.

What to expect from the match

Arsenal opened their Premier League season against Crystal Palace but they should not be expecting the same team they faced back at the start of August.

Palace will frustrated their efforts to attack fluidly and they may be forced to resort to wingplay, just like they did against Fulmar. It worked to great effect against the Cottagers but the same cannot be emphatically said about the Eagles, whose defense is one of the best in the league.

Arsenal will find a way, however, but the game will likely be a low-scoring affair.

Betting predictions

An Arsenal win

Arsenal are on a roll and it is unlikely that Crystal Palace will change things. Trossard is their latest weapon and his potency is something that even rivals fans are acknowledging.

Added to the possible return of Gabriel Jesus, Palace are on course for another defeat and possibly their first defeat by a two-goal margin since Spurs put four past them in January.

William Hill is offering 1.30 odds for the Gunners to claim a win on home soil.

Under 3.5 goals

Arsenal are not lacking goals and scoring opportunities but Crystal Palace are stingy with the goals they are conceding.

Should Palace find a way to score, it will most likely end up being a one-goal margin loss for Palace as has been the case in the last 11 matches.

William Hill have odds of 1.40 for this to happen.

Martinelli to score

The Brazilian frontman is one of the most in-form forwards in the league at the moment and has been crucial to the Gunners’ title charge. Martinelli has scored five goals in his last five Premier League games and will be looking to do the double over Palace, having scored his first goal of the campaign against them back in August 2022.

All odds are via William Hill and all info valid as at the time of writing.

Odds could differ now.