Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil struggle to score against Crystal Palace, so the pair will need to be at their best this evening.

In six appearances each against the Eagles, Sanchez and Özil have only scored one goal combined. The German in particular hasn’t done well recently. The last time he played in a win over tonight’s hosts was in 2015.

Mostly, Arsenal get by with goals from Olivier Giroud instead. The Frenchman’s scored four goals in eight appearances against Palace, plus one assist.

But on this occasion, he won’t be there to help them out. The 31-year-old is sidelined with injury, and we don’t know how Alexandre Lacazette will do, since he’s never played against them.

lacazette v united
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on December 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

On the upside, Özil has been at the top of his game in recent weeks. He’s been Arsenal’s man-of-the-match pretty much every week, and scored against both Newcastle and Liverpool.

So now might be the perfect opportunity for him to carry that form to Selhurst Park and score his first goal against Hodgson’s men.

Alexis hasn’t been in such great form generally. However, he does have a few assists against the Eagles to add to his solitary goal. So hopefully they can both turn their fortunes around this time.