Arsenal welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates on Saturday hoping to return to normal football action away from relentless transfer talk.
The Gunners have been repeatedly in the headlines over the past week with Theo Walcott having left for Everton, while Alexis Sanchez looks likely to sign for Manchester United.
Arsenal have been linked with moves for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Arsene Wenger will no doubt welcome the distraction of the game when Crystal Palace visit.
| Game | Arsenal vs Crystal Palace |
| Date | Saturday, January 19 |
| Time | 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET |
TV CHANNEL & LIVE STREAM
In the United States (US), the game can be watched live on NBC Sports and streamed online through their website.
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| NBCSN | NBCSports.com |
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game is not being shown live on television as it is a 15:00 GMT kick-off, but audio commentary is available on TalkSport 2.
SQUADS & TEAM NEWS
| Position | Arsenal players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Cech, Ospina, Macey |
| Defenders | Mertesacker, Holding, Mustafi, Koscielny, Chambers, Monreal, Debuchy, Bellerin, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles |
| Midfielders | Nelson, Wilshere, Willock, Xhaka, Elneny, Ozil, Ramsey, Elneny |
| Forwards | Iwobi, Welbeck, Lacazette, Nketiah, Akpom |
Mesut Ozil could be in line to feature for Arsenal, but Olivier Giroud is unlikely to play due to injury. The France striker is also being linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund as the Gunners close in on Aubameyang.
Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal are back in contention, but Ainsley Maitland-Niles is a doubt due to the flu. Santi Cazorla is a long-term absentee. Alexis Sanchez is on the verge of signing for Manchester United and will probably not be included in the matchday squad as a result.
Potential Arsenal starting XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Wilshere, Ozil, Welbeck, Lacazette
| Position | Crystal Palace players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Hennessey, Speroni |
| Defenders | Ward, Van Aanholt, Tomkins, Fosu-Mensah, Kelly, Souare, Delaney |
| Midfielders | Milivojevic, Cabaye, Zaha, Riedewald, McArthur, Chung-Yong, Kaikai, Wan-Bissaka, Schlupp |
| Forwards | Sako, Benteke |
Defenders Mamadou Sakho and Scott Dann remain sidelined for Crystal Palace, while manager Roy Hodgson must also plan without Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who is out with an ankle injury.
Yohan Cabaye and Joel Ward are once again available, but Andros Townsend is carrying a knock from the 2-1 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup two weeks ago.
Potential Crystal Palace starting XI: Hennessey, Tomkins, Kelly, Van Aanholt, Fosu-Mensah, Riedewald, Milivojevic, Zaha, McArthur, Sako, Benteke
BETTING & MATCH ODDS
Arsenal are 1/2 favourites to win, according to dabblebet, with Crystal Palace priced at 11/2 to beat the Gunners at the Emirates. A draw between the teams is available at 7/2.
GAME PREVIEW
Arsenal defeated Crystal Palace 3-2 on December 28 with Sanchez scoring twice, but will need goals from elsewhere for the return fixture. The Gunners will also be looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat last weekend as Bournemouth came from behind to win 2-1.
Crystal Palace are much improved under Hodgson, but Arsenal need to pick up three points at home if they are to keep in touching distance of the top four. They are currently eight points adrift of fourth and five behind rivals Tottenham, who sit fifth.