Overview
Each match is important when a team aims to win the Premier League. For Arsenal, the away trip to Crystal Palace could be a turning point for the weekend.
In the context of Manchester City having to travel to Aston Villa - a team that is unbeaten for 5 consecutive matches in the tournament - Arsenal's advantage over the chasing group can be completely increased before the round ends.
The "Gunners" always maintain impressive results at Emirates every time they lead the rankings. Arsenal have lost just two of their 70 Premier League home games, starting the day as No. one (W2). Those two defeats came against Hull City in September 2008 and Man City in February 2023.
Since losing to Man City, Arsenal have won 7 out of 8 such matches at the Emirates (the remaining draw), scoring 28 goals. With that form, Palace are probably hoping for a draw - although in fact, their recent form shows that they are fully capable of causing a surprise.
Crystal Palace have drawn eight of their last 14 Premier League games (only lost 1), including a dramatic 3-3 draw with Bournemouth in Round 8. Since the start of April, the "Gunners" have had 9 draws in the Premier League - 3 more than any other team.
Oliver Glasner's side could have won more if they had taken advantage of the opportunities they created. Crystal Palace are leading the Premier League this season for shots on target (43), expected goals (xG - 17.4) and clear chances.
However, they are playing far behind the real xG (-5.4) and have missed 22 out of 33 good chances. This is a figure that shows Palace's serious ineffectiveness in finishing.
If scoring efficiency is Palace's weakness, their opponent shows a completely opposite image. Arsenal have barely allowed the opponent to create any dangerous situations. The Gunners have not had to face any shots on target in their last two Premier League games - an extremely rare statistic.
Since the 2003-2004 season, only Man City in 2014 have done the same thing in 3 consecutive matches. In the European arena, Arsenal also showed their solidity when they only had one shot on target in a 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in midweek.
In the Premier League, Mikel Arteta's side are leading in most defensive indicators: facing the fewest shots (65), fewest shots on target (18), lowest expected goals conceded (4.8) and conceded the fewest goals (3 goals). This is Arsenal's best defensive record after 8 rounds since the 1998-1999 season - a season in which they also kept a clean sheet in 5 of the first 8 matches.
Arsenal are also showing signs of benefiting in set-pieces - one of Mikel Arteta's strongest under. The Gunners lead the Premier League in goals from corners (7) and total goals from set pieces (10).
Notably, they have scored from the dead in 6/8 Premier League matches this season. That achievement makes Arsenal the first team in the history of the tournament to reach the milestone of 10 goals from set pieces in just one season.
Head-to-head record
The head-to-head record is also completely leaning towards the home team. Arsenal have won five of their last six Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace, except for last season's 2-2 draw. It has been more than 6 years since the "Gunners" last played against the "Gunners" at the Emirates.
As for Crystal Palace, they have won just one of their last 14 away games against Arsenal in the competition, losing nine in a row. That only win came in April 2019, under Roy Hodgson.
Score prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
The match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace takes place at 9:00 p.m. on October 26 (Vietnam time).
