Looking to continue their magnificent start in the Barclays Premier League, the Arsenal Gunners will travel to Selhurst Park this weekend to take on a struggling Crystal Palace team desperate for a win. Earning 6 wins and 1 draw in 8 BPL matches this season, the Gunners currently pace the table with a total of 19 points. Set on improving upon last season's fourth place finish in the league, manager Arsene Wenger's club has been efficient on both sides of the ball, earning key victories over teams including Tottenham, Sunderland and Swansea. Despite falling to Borussia Dortmund in Champions League action the last time out, the Gunners are certainly capable of bouncing back against Crystal, even if offseason aquisition Mesut Ozil isn't at full strength.
"He was sick before the game and he was not at his best on the night," Wenger said of Ozil's condition during the 2-1 loss to Dortmund. "He said he felt alright, but in the two days before he had a virus and you could see that physically he was not at his best. Dortmund were organised to stop us from playing our game and one of their game plans was to stop Ozil to get in the game. They did that well. On top of that, Ozil was not at his best physically on Tuesday night."
Crystal Palace has earned just one victory in the Premier League this season. Since earning a 3-1 win over Sunderland on August 31, the Eagles have dropped five consecutive decisions, placing them in the bottom portion of the 20-club league. With defeats to Tottenham, Stoke City, Manchester United, Swansea City, Southampton, Liverpool and Fulham all hampering the club, manager Ian Holloway left the team via mutual consent earlier this week, prompting Arsene Wenger to express his disappointment over a coach he admires and has a ton of respect for.
"It's very harsh on Ian Holloway," Wenger said. "He has done exceptionally well with Crystal Palace to get them up into the Premier League. It's very difficult to do that. I find it very quick and very early to separate with Holloway as he has an exceptional talent to manage a football team. I expect him to be back. He is a football man. He has something that belongs to him that is special. There is a strength in there that he can take people on board with him."
Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is expected to replace Holloway on the Crystal Palace sideline.
Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace: DATE, TIME & TV INFO
DATE: Saturday, October 26
TIME: 7:45am, ET
TV COVERAGE: NBC Sports Network
LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE
RELATED: Manchester United Vs. Stoke City Live Stream: When And Where To Watch Red Devils Go For Crucial Win At Old Trafford
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
