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Confirmed line-ups: Crystal Palace vs Arsenal – Havertz & Saka start for Gunners

By on December 21, 2024

Declan Rice Bukayo Saka Arsenal

Arsenal desperately need a win to get us back into the title hunt when we take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this evening.

The tie comes just days after we beat Palace 3-2 in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup so we’ll be looking to do the double over our London rivals.

Mikel Arteta has recalled his big guns for the game with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes back to forge a wall at the heart of Arsenal’s defence in front of goalkeeper David Raya.

Jurrien Timber keeps his place but moves to right-back with Myles Lewis-Skelly coming in at left-back. Declan Rice returns after recovering from a knock but he’s only named on the bench with Thomas Partey starting in the holding role.

Skipper Martin Odegaard – who came off the bench to turn the game around in Arsenal’s favour in midweek – is recalled to start while Kai Havertz lines-up in midfield this evening.

Gabriel Jesus scored a superb hat-trick in midweek and it’s good to see the Brazilian is given another chance to impress up front. Bukayo Saka also made a huge impact off the bench in the EFL Cup clash and he’s recalled to start on the right flank tonight.

Gabriel Martinelli starts on the left wing with Leandro Trossard dropping to the bench along with Raheem Sterling. Riccardo Calafiori is back in the squad after recovering from injury.

These are the teams:

Arsenal

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Ødegaard, Havertz; Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.

Subs: Neto, Tierney, Kiwior, Calafiori, Trossard, Jorginho, Merino, Rice, Nwaneri

Crystal Palace

Henderson; Mitchell, Lacroix, Guehi, Richards, Clyne, Lerma, Hughes, Kamada, Sarr, Mateta

Subs: Turner, Ward, Chalobah, Kporha, Schlupp, Doucouré, Devenny, Nketiah, Agbinone