Arsenal will look to bounce back from their midweek Champions League defeat by Borussia Dortmund with an away win across London at managerless Crystal Palace.
Ian Holloway left Selhurst Park by mutual consent after less than a year in charge on Wednesday following widespread speculation about his future.
Palace suffered a 4-1 loss at home to Fulham on Monday evening with Pajtim Kasami scoring a sensational goal that evoked the spirit of Marco van Basten.
That defeat proved terminal for Holloway as Martin Jol’s struggling side pulled clear of immediate danger and left their hosts deep in relegation trouble.
Eagles assistant boss Keith Millen will be in caretaker charge for the visit of Arsene Wenger’s Gunners.
Robert Lewandowski meanwhile snatched a point away from Arsenal in Europe with a late winner for Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund.
The Gunners lost for the first time in 13 matches, but remain top of the Premier League – an advantage they can extend by beating the Eagles.
Team News
Jack Wilshere faces a fitness test after picking up an ankle knock in that defeat, but Arsenal have fellow midfielder Mathieu Flamini back following concussion.
Santi Cazorla could also return to the starting line-up after beginning on the bench during midweek.
Wingers Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, forward Lukas Podolski and combative midfielder Abou Diaby remain long-term injury absentees.
If selected, Palace players Marouane Chamakh and Jerome Thomas will face their former club. Neither the Moroccan striker nor the English winger made much of an impression in Gunners ranks.
History favours Arsenal in this fixture with 16 wins to the Eagles’ two and eight draws in league meetings.
Last time the two sides met at Selhurst Finnish midfielder Aki Riihilahti denied the Gunners three points when he cancelled out Thierry Henry’s opener.
Prediction: Arsenal should take their unbeaten run (away) to 14 matches in a row, so 0-2 in favour of the Gunners. Here is the possible line-up for the match:
Let us know your predictions for the match? And the possible line-up as well…
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