The Selhurst Park pitch has been re-laid and is primed for action as the Eagles prepare to welcome Arsenal on Sunday 16th August; their first home game of the 2015-16 campaign.
In order to get a feel for the new surface, Palace boss Alan Pardew has instructed that his team will train in the stadium prior to this weekend’s game, as per Giuseppe Muro of the London Evening Standard.
The players are happy that the surface has been torn up and replaced, as the pitch had received complaints throughout last season in particular.
Wilfried Zaha had this to say: “Last season you could be running on it and just hurt your ankle, so I am looking forward to it.”
Palace got their campaign off to a flying start with a 3-1 away win at Norwich City, with record signing Yohan Cabaye grabbing the final goal of the game to ensure the three points.
In contrast, Arsene Wenger’s men struggled to compete at the Emirates against an impressive West Ham side which included a certain 16-year-old Reece Oxford. Having lost 2-0, they will be looking to redeem themselves at Selhurst Park.
