Arsenal Travel to Selhurst Park with Title Secured but Standards Intact

Premier League champions Arsenal visit Crystal Palace on Sunday with the trophy already in the cabinet. Mikel Arteta insists his side will maintain their intensity despite having nothing left to play for in the league.

The Gunners wrapped up the title last weekend with a 3-1 victory over Wolves at the Emirates. This trip to south London represents the first chance to celebrate with travelling supporters.

Team News: Injury Updates and Selection Headaches

Bukayo Saka is a doubt after picking up a knock in the midweek training session. The England winger has been integral this season, contributing 18 goals and 14 assists in all competitions.

Thomas Partey remains sidelined with a groin problem sustained against Manchester City three weeks ago. The Ghanaian midfielder has been absent for the last two matches.

Gabriel Jesus could return to the starting eleven after being rested on the bench against Wolves. The Brazilian forward has scored six goals in his last eight appearances.

Jurriën Timber is pushing for a start after recovering from a hamstring issue. The Dutch defender has played 45 minutes across two substitute appearances since returning.

Predicted Arsenal 4-3-3 Lineup Against Crystal Palace

Goalkeeper: David Raya. The Spaniard has kept 15 clean sheets this season, the best record in the division. He will be protected by a back four of White, Saliba, Gabriel, and Zinchenko.

Defence: Ben White starts at right-back ahead of Tomiyasu. William Saliba partners Gabriel Magalhães at centre-half, with Oleksandr Zinchenko on the left flank.

Midfield: Declan Rice anchors the trio with Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz. Rice has covered the most distance of any Arsenal player this campaign, averaging 11.2 km per 90 minutes.

Attack: Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard support Gabriel Jesus through the middle. Trossard has registered nine assists in the league, the second-most at the club.

Tactical Analysis: How Arsenal Will Approach the Game

Arteta’s side are expected to press high from the first whistle. They average 18.3 presses per minute in the final third, the third-highest in the league. Crystal Palace will look to exploit spaces behind Zinchenko when he inverts.

Set pieces remain a key weapon. Arsenal have scored 16 goals from dead-ball situations this season, more than any other Premier League side. Olivier Giroud’s similar record with Chelsea in 2018-19 is the only modern comparison.

The visitors will likely dominate possession, as they have in 70% of their away games this term. Palace’s counter-attacking threat through Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise could test a high defensive line.

Fantasy Premier League Implications

Gabriel Martinelli is owned by 28% of FPL managers and is the most transferred-in Arsenal player ahead of this fixture. His price of £7.0m offers value for those chasing a final-day differential.

Bukayo Saka’s potential absence makes Leandro Trossard (£6.9m) an attractive alternative. Trossard has averaged 6.2 points per game over the last five matches, with two goals and three assists.

David Raya (£5.5m) remains the top-scoring goalkeeper in FPL with 168 points. Crystal Palace have scored in only one of their last four home games, suggesting a clean sheet is plausible.

What’s Next for Arsenal and Crystal Palace

Arsenal will lift the Premier League trophy after the final whistle at Selhurst Park. The club’s summer transfer window begins in earnest next week, with a £150m budget reported for reinforcements.

Crystal Palace need a result to secure mathematical safety — they sit 14th, four points above the relegation zone. Roy Hodgson’s future as manager remains uncertain, with the club likely to make a decision after the final round.

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