With five goals scored in the midweek EFL Cup quarter-final match, Saturday’s Premier League London derby between Crystal Palace and Arsenal has its work cut out for it.
Forget about expecting a London bus and two coming at once, Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus had to wait for a year before three came at once during Wednesday’s visit of Palace in the EFL Cup, a period in which he did not make the net ripple on his own patch since December 17, 2023.
The hitherto disappointing South American cancelled out Jean-Philippe Mateta’s effort and made sure that Eddie Nketiah’s acrobatic late strike against his former Pay was a consolation; Palace had reason to believe they were extremely unlucky; Jesus’ second goal should have been ruled offside had there been VAR.
But, with Stockley Park shut for EFL cup, Arteta’s men sailed through to the final four of a competition that Arsenal has not won in over three decades while also providing the perfect antidote to frustrative recent draw with Everton and Fulham.
Liverpool’s own woes have not been good enough for Arsenal to make hay and the Premier League second-place are still six points adrift of Liverpool, who has a game in hand due to the 1-1 draw earlier in the season; however, the visitors are now within 90 minutes of extending their unbeaten league run in all competitions to 10.
Talking of 10-game sequences, Arsenal might get into double figures for Premier League London derbies without a loss - they’ve won seven and drawn two of their nine such games in 2024 – and since 2005 only Chelsea among the top-flight teams have ended a calendar year without a loss in all-capitals Premier League duel.
Following Mikel Arteta's team's 3-2 victory in the League Cup's last eight, which advanced them to the semi-finals courtesy to a Brazilian born-again, the two capital opponents will rejoin at Selhurst Park.
Arteta's benchwarmers were originally kept at bay by a nearly full-strength Palace team on Wednesday night, but as Glasner pulled some of his big-hitters and Arteta used his most valuable players, the tide eventually changed in the second half.
However, the Eagles performed admirably in North London, and while the quarterfinal will be remembered as yet another defeat for Glasner, there were still signs of improvement as Palace made amends for their poor start to the season.
Before being defeated by the Gunners, Saturday's hosts had put together a five-game winning streak, which included a well-earned 3-1 victory away to M23 derby rivals Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, solidifying their 15th-place position in the Premier League standings.
Palace is only four points above the relegation zone and has only won once at home in the Premier League this season, against Arsenal's bitter rival Tottenham Hotspur. A pair of disappointing outcomes, however, might put Palace in jeopardy once more.
Crystal Palace's most recent victory over Arsenal, a 3-0 thumping in the 2021–22 season, took place at Selhurst Park. However, Wednesday's cup loss was the hosts' sixth consecutive loss to Arteta's club, who have defeated the Eagles in both of the previous Premier League seasons.
Declan Rice did not participate in the thrashing of Palace in midweek after being knocked for his dismissal during the Everton stalemate. The Englishman was merely being rested and is anticipated to return to play quickly on Saturday.
It was never anticipated that Kieran Tierney would start two games in a row following his extended layoff; Myles Lewis-Skelly should now return to the starting lineup. Tierney made his first Arsenal debut in more than a year on Wednesday before being substituted out due to a suspected cramp.
While there were no new fitness issues for Palace following Wednesday's defeat, the hosts lost Daniel Munoz due to suspension; the Colombian received his fifth Premier League yellow card of the year at the Amex.
