Arsenal travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday, less than 72 hours after their game in Lisbon, attempting to maintain their position in the Premier League’s top four.

Arsenal won their 11th consecutive match on Thursday, defeating Sporting Lisbon 1-0 in a closely fought and physical encounter. As a result, we expect Unai Emery to make a number of changes to the side that started the match less than 72 hours before the Gunners’ trip to Selhurst Park.

Arsenal are trying to keep the pressure on the league leaders, just a couple of points ahead at the start of the weekend, whilst also edging in front of the other teams fighting for a Champions League spot. Let’s have a look at the predicted team to start the London derby.

Goalkeeper and Defence

Petr Cech’s return to full fitness means Unai Emery has a decision to make. However, it would be harsh to drop Bernd Leno after his good run of form in his competitor’s absence, so we expect the German to keep his place for now. There’s a League Cup game in midweek for whichever goalkeeper doesn’t start on Sunday.

Hector Bellerin should return to the starting XI after Stephan Lichtsteiner started against Sporting, and Shkodran Mustafi will reclaim his spot in the centre-back pairing. Nacho Monreal will hopefully be fit to replace Granit Xhaka at left-back, but we might have to wait for a late decision on that one.

It’s a toss-up between Rob Holding and Sokratis Papastathopoulos for the final defensive pick after both performed well in mid-week. Sokratis probably edges it on seniority and that Sporting performance, particularly as Holding has now started six matches in a row for Arsenal.

Click ‘Next’ for Midfield, Forwards and our Full Predicted Starting XI

Midfield

Lucas Torreira is pretty much undroppable right now, as Arsenal always look better with him on the pitch. Matteo Guendouzi and Granit Xhaka are the two most likely options to partner him, despite both playing 90 minutes on Thursday. Assuming a left-back is fit to take his place, we expect Xhaka to return to midfield on this occasion.

Mesut Özil takes the third spot at number 10, after his world-class showing on Monday and a full 90 minutes of rest in Lisbon.

Aaron Ramsey will be disappointed to be back on the bench in the league again, but his performances haven’t pushed him ahead of the German at this stage, and he started against Sporting.

Click ‘Next’ for Forwards and our Full Predicted Starting XI

Forwards

Unfortunately, two players have to be left out in the front three. Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are essentially fighting for three spots right now.

Iwobi is in fantastic form, and gives a good balance to the team, so he’ll retain his place on the left. Lacazette missed a couple of chances against Leicester on Monday, but again the team seems more balanced with him in it. He’s usually a lethal finisher but also helps the team in the build-up when necessary.

Mkhitaryan looks the favoured choice on the right as it stands. He links up well with Bellerin, and neither Welbeck nor Aubameyang have as much experience on that side in this team.

The former Manchester United man might not be the popular choice with Aubameyang in such great goalscoring form, but the Gabonese striker has looked much more effective coming off the bench to kill teams off recently. He didn’t look quite as impressive from the start on Thursday.

Click ‘Next’ for our full predicted starting XI

Full Predicted Starting XI