Giroud will provide the spark to ignite Arsenal's New Year fireworks

Written by Jon Shay on 31 December 2016. Posted in 1886 Previews

match preview arsenal crystal palace new years day 2017

Match Preview: Arsenal vs Crystal Palace - Premier League - 01.01.2017

Arsenal have staggered towards the New Year with all of the aplomb and grace of a over-served reveler, losing twice by 2-1 scorelines before finally finding a way past West Brom's parked bus in the waning minutes—long gone, it seems, is the swagger that saw us go undefeated across 20 previous matches (sorry, League Cup; in fairness, though, I also overlooked two wins in the competition to prove my point). Then again, the Baggies' visit opened a string of fixtures from which we simply must and really should take all the points on offer. Enter Crystal Palace.

The sacking of Alan Pardew and subsequent hiring of Sam Allardyce might just set Crystal Palace atop the list of clubs who have hired managers most likely to irritate Arsène. Sandwiched somewhere in there is Tony Pulis, and while none of them quite rises to Mourinhoian levels, there's something to be said for the accumulative effect. Allardyce is at least affable to some degree or another, but his hiring does ring alarm-bells regarding physicality and a certain hoofing-forward of balls. With Christian Benteke (8 goals) up-top, those alarm-bells can't be simply snooz-buttoned away. Benteke has had a few moments to remember against Arsenal in the past.

With the Eagles just two points above the relegation-fray, they have shown a bit more fight in recent weeks, losing narrowly at home to Man U (1-2) and Chelsea (0-1). There's also likely to a be a bit of a bounce from the new manager, whoever he may be. At the other end of things, injuries and suspensions may blunt that enthusiasm; Damian Delaney will serve a one-match suspension, and Joe Ledley and James McArthur face late fitness tests after coming off with injuries against Watford. Allardyce will have to some shuffling along the back-line—raising the prospect of us facing the always-fiesty Mathieu Flamini.

At our end, we still do have important questions to answer. We've slowed down of late, which would be less of a concern if our rivals were suffering the same. However, each of them has taken maximum points in recent weeks, with Man U and Chelsea showing frightening form. Were it not for Man U's early malaise, they'd be right in the mix instead of nipping at our heels. After scoring 12 goals in three matches to start the month, we've managed just three in the ensuing three. While Palace are presently relegation-fodder, we cannot risk underestimating them—not if we're serious about contending.

With that in mind, I turn my hopes to Olivier Giroud. Against Palace, though, his presence up-top would give our offense the kind of structure and physicality it will need against Allardyce's set-up; he will also offer a useful balance against Benteke should Palace earn set-pieces. Giroud has scored four goals in just 260 minutes of Prem action. Yes, coming on as a sub gives him an advantage, but those fresh legs and chiseled muscles seem far less weary, jaded, or enervated than those of many others in the squad.

LAST 3 Meetings

Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace (17.04.2016)
Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal (16.08.2015)
Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal (21.02.2015)

FACTFILE

Arsenal first faced Palace on 1 November 1969, a 1-5 win to the Arsenal.
Christian Benteke has scored in six of his eight away league appearances for Palace.
Arsenal have not lost to Palace in their last 13 matches across all competitions (01.10.1994).
Crystal Palace have failed to win in 11 of their last 12 Prem matches.
Arsenal have won eight of their last 11 Premier League games against Crystal Palace, drawing the other three.
The Eagle's only Premier League win against Arsenal came in October 1994 at Highbury, with John Salako scoring twice in a 2-1 victory.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last eight league matches at home (W6, D2).
Crystal Palace have won just one of their last 12 league games (D3, L8).
If the Gunners win, they will reach 40 points at the halfway stage of the season. They have achieved this only once in their last six campaigns (42 in 2013-14).
The Eagles lost 22 league matches in 2016, a joint-high in the top five European leagues along with Palermo. Palace played two fewer league fixtures in 2016 than the Italians.
Alexis Sanchez has been directly involved in 18 goals this season (12 goals, six assists), a joint-league high along with Chelsea's Diego Costa (13 goals, 5 assists).
Palace haven't kept a clean sheet away from home in the league since 26 December 2015 (19 matches).
Olivier Giroud has scored five goals in his last three league starts.
Sam Allardyce has never won a Premier League away game at Arsenal, drawing three and losing nine of 12 games - and he has lost each of his last seven.

INJURIES

Mertesacker, Cazorla, Gibbs and Debuchy are out. Mustafi and Welbeck have returned to fitness but are unlikely to be available. Walcott faces a late fitness test.