Match Preview: Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal

Last updated : 25 October 2013 By Kevin DeRaffele

palacepreviewThe Gunners 12 game unbeaten streak (in all competitions) ended against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday in Champions League play, but Arsenal are still top of the Premier League, 2 points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea.  Crystal Palace find themselves just ahead of Sunderland at the bottom of the table with a record of 1-0-7. The Gunners scored 4 goals against Norwich last weekend, who are one place ahead of struggling Palace. Let’s hope the Gunners can keep up their strong scoring form.

Here are the “Players to Watch” this week:

Crystal Palace

Dwight Gayle
This young Englishman has had a decent season thus far, leading Crystal Palace in scoring with 2 goals in the Premier League.  He had some good spells with some lower division English clubs, especially his 57 goal season with Stanstead, an Essex Senior League club.  He will be looking to rip through the Arsenal defense at home this weekend.

Danny Gabbidon
Danny Gabbidon is one of the strong links in the Crystal Palace back line.  He had quite a long career with West Ham United but is now the face of the Crystal Palace defense.  He has played 6 games this season, scoring 1 goal.  He and his fellow defenders need to figure out how to stop the streaking Gunners.

Arsenal

Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud has had a spectacular season thus far with Arsenal.  He has scored 4 league goals so far this season but has really been a solid playmaker as well.  Last week, he assisted Jack Wilshire, in what could be the best goal of the season and also found a streaking Mesut Ozil for his 2nd assist of the game.  Watch as Giroud leads the Gunners attack against Palace.

Jack Wilshere
Two goals in his last two games in the Premier League, Jack has really come alive as of late.  He looks healthy and fit and ready to lead the Arsenal midfield alongside Ozil and Ramsey.  I’ve been a fan of Jack for a long time and seeing him running the midfield this season has been fun to watch and I’m excited to see if he can extend his goal scoring streak to three games.