Arsenal have been dealt a setback as Oleksandr Zinchenko is likely to miss Saturday’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace.
The 27-year-old Ukrainian international has missed Arsenal’s last two games owing to a calf injury and is now resting at the club’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai. According to the Evening Standard, he is working hard to prepare for the game against Palace.
Zinchenko is still questionable for the match, therefore Mikel Arteta could stick with center back Jakub Kiwior at left back. In the previous two games, a 2-1 league defeat against Fulham last month and a 2-0 EFL Cup loss against Liverpool on January 7th, the Pole has filled in as that position.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is representing Japan at the AFC Asian Cup as Jurrien Timber is still sidelined due to an ACL injury. Nuno Tavares and Kieran Tierney were loaned out by Arsenal, a sign that Mikel Arteta believes in Zinchenko at left back.
But the Gunners don’t have any other options on the left side of their defense right now, and they’ve even been linked to a trade for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Rayan Ait-Nouri. Zinchenko should still start for the same side when he makes a return, however, since it doesn’t seem to be too far off.
The former Manchester City left-back has made 24 appearances in all competitions this season, with one goal and one assist.
An analysis of Arsenal past performance versus Crystal Palace
Arsenal comes into this game coming off a depressing seven-game losing streak during which they have only won once in all competitions. Even worse is Crystal Palace’s situation.
On December 30, the Eagles won their sole league game in the previous ten in all competitions, defeating Brentford 3-1. Conversely, Palace lost their season-opening encounter with Arsenal.
Martin Odegaard’s goal helped the Gunners upset the Eagles 1-0 at Selhurst Park in August. The Gunners have an incredible head-to-head record against Palace, having only lost six of their 54 matches.
In addition, Arsenal has only lost one of their previous nine games versus Palace in all competitions, winning both the league and the cup last year. They triumphed 4-1 at the Emirates after winning 2-0 at Selhurst Park.
With 40 points from 20 games, Arsenal is presently fourth in the league standings, while Palace is in 14th place with 21 points.