Arsenal vs Crystal Palace. Premier League.
Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal could have midfielder Thomas Partey available again, but Gabriel Martinelli is out; Gary Cahill is fit to feature for the visitors; follow Arsenal vs Crystal Palace on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 7.30pm on Thursday; kick-off 8pm
Thursday 14 January 2021 20:11, UK
Team news and stats ahead of Arsenal vs Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Thursday, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 8pm.
Arsenal are set to boosted by the return of midfielder Thomas Partey, who is available again after a month out with a thigh problem.
Defender Gabriel could also be back for the Gunners after a period of self-isolation with mild coronavirus symptoms.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli, who injured his ankle in the warm-up ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie with Newcastle, will miss out, but Arsenal are hoping he will return to full training in the next few days.
Crystal Palace will be without defender Mamadou Sakho, who picked up a thigh strain in Friday's FA Cup defeat at Wolves.
However, Roy Hodgson's defence will be boosted by the return of Gary Cahill, who is available again after a hamstring problem.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 7.30pm on Thursday; kick-off at pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Free highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
There are smiles on faces at The Emirates again. No squad in the Premier League rely on confidence flowing more than Arsenal's - granted, I can't back that up with any statistical evidence but there must be something in the water there that make heads drop and bottom lips tremble during a bad run.
It would not surprise me to see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang go on a scoring streak now after he found the net in the FA Cup against Newcastle. When on song, he is on a par with Harry Kane when it comes to converting chances.
However, I'd rather invest and rave about Kieran Tierney, who isn't very Arsenal-like in terms of his attitude and consistency. His bottom lip stays strong. He is chasing a third assist in a row here, proving he has the quality in the final third to match his desire. Much of what Arsenal do rely on the full-backs providing an overload and Palace are likely to be exposed down that side. The odds on offer for a Tierney assist makes plenty of appeal.
Meanwhile, Palace remain a team with restrictions. There are only three certainties in life: death, taxes and Crystal Palace will be 14th in the Premier League.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 3-0 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
We look ahead to other standout midweek games, including Arsenal's clash with Crystal Palace, and we get the latest on the coronavirus situation at Aston Villa.
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