Arsenal’s lineup against Crystal Palace is marked by significant changes, with Martin Kai Havertz dropped and Zinchenko losing his spot in the XI, adopting a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, closely monitors the fitness of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, both absent from the recent FA Cup match against Liverpool. Gabriel Jesus, recovering from a knee issue, is showing positive signs during training in Dubai, while Zinchenko, dealing with a calf problem, hasn’t played since Arsenal’s loss to West Ham on December 28.
Arteta remains optimistic about the team’s progress, acknowledging some players are still on the recovery list. He refrains from providing specific updates but mentions the touch-and-go situation for some players. The manager expresses hope that the hard work invested during the Dubai camp will pay off, describing it as “phenomenal.” The camp, featuring a change in environment and favorable weather, aims to recharge the squad both physically and mentally.
Despite uncertainties in key players’ fitness, Arteta believes the recent training camp will benefit Arsenal as they strive to regain momentum in their title pursuit. The predicted lineup for the match adopts a 4-2-3-1 formation, showcasing Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Jorginho, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, and Jesus. The Saturday game at Emirates Stadium, scheduled for 12.30 pm GMT, will be officiated by referee Paul Tierney and broadcasted on TNT Sports.
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