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[Image] Key duo fit to return – How Arsenal should line-up vs Palace

By mac14 on April 4, 2022

Arsenal will be looking to reclaim fourth place with a positive result away to Crystal Palace tonight. This is the line-up I’d like to see Mikel Arteta select for the match…

Aaron Ramsdale missed the win at Aston Villa before the international break due to a hip injury that he sustained against Liverpool. He was also forced to withdraw from the England squad and it was feared he could be facing a few weeks on the sidelines.

However, Ramsdale has made a swift recovery and was back in full training over the weekend. As long as he didn’t aggravate the issue, Arsenal’s No.1 should be fit to return in goal tonight. Bernd Leno will make way despite his solid performance at Villa.

In defence, we should see Kieran Tierney keeping his place ahead of Nuno Tavares at left-back while Ben White and Gabriel will continue in the middle of the back four once again.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has been back in training as he looks to finally make his return from a niggling calf problem. Arteta is being very cautious not to rush the Japan international back too soon so I don’t think it’s worth risking Tomiyasu tonight. Cedric Soares has been doing a solid job so he can keep his place at right-back.

Thomas Partey continued his excellent form with another top display against Villa while Granit Xhaka should also keep his place. The Swiss star has been quietly going about his business in a slightly more advanced role lately and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t start ahead of Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mo Elneny once again at Selhurst Park.

Martin Odegaard should also retain his starting spot while Bukayo Saka will obviously line-up on the right wing for Arsenal. Let’s hope he isn’t targetted in the same way he was at Villa as Saka was on the wrong end of some rough tackles at Villa Park last month.

Gabriel Martinelli was forced to miss the Villa game due to illness but he’s back in contention and should be recalled this evening. I’ve said in the past I wouldn’t mind seeing Emile Smith Rowe or Martinelli given a run-out in the false 9 position but I don’t think Palace away is the type of game we should be testing out a new system.

Therefore, Alexandre Lacazette should keep his place up front which means Smith Rowe is the man who has to make way for Martinelli. Nicolas Pepe and Eddie Nketiah will be other options from the bench for Arsenal.

Here is the side I hope we see: