Arsenal are the visitors to Selhurst Park on Saturday in the Premier League as both sides look to pick up points in their respective fights in their part of the table; the Gunners are looking to push for a Champions League place whereas Palace will be looking to pick up at least a point to push away further from the relegation zone.
We spoke to the Head Admin at German football blog Flares and Football, Deano Spyrou who’s an Arsenal fan about the fixture tomorrow and where he thinks the main threats will come from in what could be a tight clash.
Arsenal won their first game of the season on the opening day against Palace at the Emirates Stadium, how much do you think has changed since then at both clubs – out of those what do you think is the biggest threat for both sides?
Well, I think an awful lot has changed for both sides since the opening day of the season where, admittedly, you were very unlucky to leave without a point or even three. Firstly, Alan Pardew has got you playing and, as a neutral, I’ve loved watching your side since his appointment: everyone, from the terraces to the pitch, seems so fresh and passionate to do well. At Arsenal, well, when we played you, Alexis Sánchez hadn’t settled in yet – and you know what he’s like – so that will be a massive addition for us. Furthermore, Olivier Giroud, Mesut Özil and Francis Coquelin have been absolutely terrific for us in recent weeks – and they will be crucial come this Saturday. I think it’ll be a completely different match, with a different pattern.
Wenger has only managed your side to three wins in six London derbies so far this term, what do you think he should do differently compared to recent fixtures to make sure the result goes in your favour?
Well, I don’t think it’s particularly the fault of Arsène Wenger that we’ve been unsuccessful in London derbies this campaign. I think the fact that we’ve only won half of the ones presented to us is due to a number of factors: injuries, our absolute hopelessness whenever we come up against José Mourinho, and unluckiness to name three. Tactically, not much will be changed this weekend; we’ll set up with the 4-3-3 that moulds to 4-1-4-1 and 4-2-3-1 depending on the pattern of the game, with the same personnel as in recent weeks. What I think needs to be changed, though, is the commitment and passion that the players show – as that is what we lacked against Tottenham a few weeks ago, when we were humiliated and completely overrun.
Crystal Palace have been in great form since the appointment of Alan Pardew with players coming into their element – do you think that this is something to worry about?
Well, I think your team as a whole and the whole mood of the Eagles at the moment is certainly something we need to be wary of. We often struggle against teams who come out of the blocks quickly and intimidate us, so that is something we need to be readied both tactically and mentally for. Names that worry me include Yannick Bolasie and Marouane Chamakh, the latter more so due to his extra incentives. Wilfried Zaha and Jason Puncheon are also capable of things that can trouble us – but hopefully their inconsistency shows itself again and we get them on a bad day!
If you were to take a player from our starting line-up and put into yours, who would it be and why?
I quite like Joel Ward, although he hasn’t been quite as effective as he was last campaign from what I have seen, so he could be a good right-back for us. Maybe Julian Speroni, too: Ospina and Szczęsny both have question marks surrounding them and your ‘keeper is comprehensive, confident and solid whenever I watch him.
Finally, what is your score prediction for Saturday’s game?
I’m confident, but I think it’ll be tight. Giroud anytime, 0-1 Arsenal is where my money’s going (but I’m s*** at betting, so don’t trust me!).
