Predicted Arsenal team for trip to Crystal Palace: Arteta sweating over Ramsdale fitness
Upon returning from the international break, the predicted Arsenal team could see Mikel Arteta once again without key man Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal’s league form of late has been solid, to say the least. Indeed, the Gunners have won six out of their last seven in the Premier League.
The 2-0 loss to Liverpool in mid-March ended a five-match winning run. During that stretch, Arsenal beat Wolves twice, as well as Leicester City, Watford and Brentford.
In their last game, they narrowly beat Aston Villa, with a 1-0 win at Villa Park. That game saw Bernd Leno start in the league for the first time since August, thanks to an injury to Ramsdale.
Leno is likely to start back-to-back games, as Ramsdale is “a doubt” per Arteta’s pre-match press conference. While Leno had a decent game last time out, Ramsdale is the no.1 for a reason, and being without him again will be a blow for the Gunners.
The manager did reveal good news though, as Bukayo Saka is “feeling good” after pulling out of the England squad. Furthermore, Takehiro Tomiyasu is “close” to a return from injury, which has kept him out since the beginning of the year.
Last time out – Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal
Leno started in net, and kept a clean sheet in Ramsdale’s absence against Villa. Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes started in the heart of defence, as is so often the case.
Cedric Soares started at right-back, with Kieran Tierney at left-back.
The holding-midfield pair were Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.
Emile Smith Rowe started out wide; it was his first start since the Brentford game at the back end of February. Martin Odegaard and Saka – scorer of the only goal – were the other attacking-midfield players.
Captain Alexandre Lacazette played up top.
Predicted Arsenal team against Crystal Palace
This time around, Leno is likely to remain in goal, with Ramsdale not quite back to fitness.
Tomiyasu could make his long-awaited return at right-back, with Tierney at left-back. White and Gabriel could play in the centre of defence, despite White playing both games for England over the break.
Xhaka and Partey may occupy the holding-midfield roles.
Saka, Odegaard and Smith Rowe could once again form the trio in behind the striker.
The lone forward is once again likely to be Lacazette, and he will want to get back among the goals.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Leno; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Lacazette
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