In the space of just three games, Arsenal have gone from nervously looking over their shoulder at the bottom of the table to being within three points of Chelsea, who led the league at the end of November, which sums up just how bonkers this season has been.
A win on Thursday, which would be their fourth on the bounce, would take Arsenal to within six points of the top four and give them a realistic chance of pushing for Europe. Mikel Arteta’s side are still a long way from being the finished article and there are far better teams ahead of them in that race for Champions League football, but to be within two wins of fourth is genuinely incredibly compared to this time last month.
Thursday, 8.00pm: Arsenal v Crystal Palace Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports Premier League
They have a great chance of making it four wins in succession on Thursday as well, against a Crystal Palace side that has been consistently inconsistent in recent weeks. Palace won their first game in six when they beat basement boys Sheffield United at the turn of the year in a run that has seen them move closer to the bottom of the table.
Palace were beaten 7-0 by Liverpool in that run but also recorded impressive 4-1 and 5-1 wins against Leeds and West Brom beforehand, making them a difficult team to gauge. Their form is too inconsistent to rely upon, however, and Arsenal have found their form at long last, paving the way for a home win.
Arsenal may have improved in recent weeks, but they are still yet to keep a clean sheet at home this season in the Premier League. The Gunners’ home form has been generally shocking, and they have lost more home games than they have won as the Premier League approaches the halfway stage.
Arsenal fans may already believe that Arsenal are top-four contenders, but their recent upturn in form could just as easily be shattered by Palace on Thursday. Roy Hodgson’s side have scored more goals than Arsenal this season, scoring six in their last three away games, and there is every chance that they will score again at the Emirates, meaning that Arsenal will have to score twice to continue their surge up the table.
Alexandre Lacazette has found his form at just the right time and is one of the main reason’s for Arsenal’s form in recent weeks. The French striker scored four goals in Arsenal’s last three league games, including the first goal against Chelsea and the only goal against Brighton.
His goals have made up for the poor form of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has scored just three league goals all season. At 31 years of age, Aubameyang is not getting any younger and fans will surely start to worry whether this decline is permanent.
In any case, Lacazette’s goals have carried Arsenal in recent weeks and could prove vital again on Thursday.
Palace may have found wins hard to come by in recent weeks, but they almost always create chances. Even in their 7-0 drubbing by Liverpool. Hodgson’s side had several gilt-edge chance to make it 1-1 in the opening 30 minutes before they fell apart at the seams. They will sit in and try to hit Arsenal on the counter through their frightening pace up front and they should at least get a number of shots on goal.
Arsenal do give their opponents chances, even during this current winning streak. Chelsea had 19 shots at the Emirates in their 3-1 defeat, only managing to find the target three times, while Brighton had 13 in their narrow 1-0 defeat, only managing two on target.
Even West Brom, who were soundly beaten by the Gunners, managed seven shots with three on target. Palace, therefore, will get chances and if their accuracy is a little better than Arsenal’s previous opponents, then they should trouble Bernd Leno on at least four occasions.
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Arsenal v Crystal Palace tips: Gunners to see off Eagles in Thursday’s 8/1 bet builder
Arsenal host Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Thursday night [8.00pm]
By Shane O'Brien / Football Tips / 2 years ago
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*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Arsenal to win
In the space of just three games, Arsenal have gone from nervously looking over their shoulder at the bottom of the table to being within three points of Chelsea, who led the league at the end of November, which sums up just how bonkers this season has been.
A win on Thursday, which would be their fourth on the bounce, would take Arsenal to within six points of the top four and give them a realistic chance of pushing for Europe. Mikel Arteta’s side are still a long way from being the finished article and there are far better teams ahead of them in that race for Champions League football, but to be within two wins of fourth is genuinely incredibly compared to this time last month.
Thursday, 8.00pm: Arsenal v Crystal Palace
Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports Premier League
They have a great chance of making it four wins in succession on Thursday as well, against a Crystal Palace side that has been consistently inconsistent in recent weeks. Palace won their first game in six when they beat basement boys Sheffield United at the turn of the year in a run that has seen them move closer to the bottom of the table.
Palace were beaten 7-0 by Liverpool in that run but also recorded impressive 4-1 and 5-1 wins against Leeds and West Brom beforehand, making them a difficult team to gauge. Their form is too inconsistent to rely upon, however, and Arsenal have found their form at long last, paving the way for a home win.
Charlie Nicholas on getting £10k to pose in his pants and drinking with George Best
Both teams to score
Arsenal may have improved in recent weeks, but they are still yet to keep a clean sheet at home this season in the Premier League. The Gunners’ home form has been generally shocking, and they have lost more home games than they have won as the Premier League approaches the halfway stage.
Arsenal fans may already believe that Arsenal are top-four contenders, but their recent upturn in form could just as easily be shattered by Palace on Thursday. Roy Hodgson’s side have scored more goals than Arsenal this season, scoring six in their last three away games, and there is every chance that they will score again at the Emirates, meaning that Arsenal will have to score twice to continue their surge up the table.
MORE TOP TIPS:
Alexandre Lacazette to score anytime
Alexandre Lacazette has found his form at just the right time and is one of the main reason’s for Arsenal’s form in recent weeks. The French striker scored four goals in Arsenal’s last three league games, including the first goal against Chelsea and the only goal against Brighton.
His goals have made up for the poor form of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has scored just three league goals all season. At 31 years of age, Aubameyang is not getting any younger and fans will surely start to worry whether this decline is permanent.
In any case, Lacazette’s goals have carried Arsenal in recent weeks and could prove vital again on Thursday.
Crystal Palace to have four or more shots on target
Palace may have found wins hard to come by in recent weeks, but they almost always create chances. Even in their 7-0 drubbing by Liverpool. Hodgson’s side had several gilt-edge chance to make it 1-1 in the opening 30 minutes before they fell apart at the seams. They will sit in and try to hit Arsenal on the counter through their frightening pace up front and they should at least get a number of shots on goal.
Arsenal do give their opponents chances, even during this current winning streak. Chelsea had 19 shots at the Emirates in their 3-1 defeat, only managing to find the target three times, while Brighton had 13 in their narrow 1-0 defeat, only managing two on target.
Even West Brom, who were soundly beaten by the Gunners, managed seven shots with three on target. Palace, therefore, will get chances and if their accuracy is a little better than Arsenal’s previous opponents, then they should trouble Bernd Leno on at least four occasions.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Arsenal v Crystal Palace bet builder
Arsenal to win
Both teams to score
Alexandre Lacazette to score anytime
Crystal Palace to have four or more shots on target
*A Paddy Power Bet Builder on these four best bets pays at approximately 8/1
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