Crystal Palace's Spanish goalkeeper Vicente Guaita sets his wall at a freekick during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park in south London on March 11, 2023. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Crystal Palace’s goalkeeper dilemma v Arsenal

Mar 16, 2023

Crystal Palace may have to start teenager goalkeeper Joe Whitworth against Arsenal on Sunday, with Vicente Guaita’s fitness in the balance.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Joe Whitworth of Crystal Palace warms up prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on October 01, 2022. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)

The Evening Standard report that Crystal Palace face a wait to see whether or not Vicente Guaita will be available to play against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The goalkeeper suffered a hamstring injury in training this week, but the Premier League side don’t know how serious it is yet.

“He had an injury after training on Tuesday and we need to wait 24-48 hours to see,” head coach Patrick Vieira said.

Teenager Joe Whitworth on standby for Guaita’s absence

Sam Johnstone is also out of action with a calf issue, leaving academy goalkeeper Joe Whitworth to start against Brighton on Wednesday. It looks as though Whitworth might be needed again at the weekend.

In fairness, the teenager did well on his debut against Brighton, only conceding once in their 1-0 defeat.

“Joe has a really strong personality,” Vieira said. “He has the self-belief, the calmness that allowed him to perform the way he did.

“He showed a lot of good things and it is even more special because he is a young player who came through the academy. To play his first professional game in a derby is good for him.

“He understands the pressure and understands the game really well. He looked really calm, composed, made a lot of good decisions, and for a first game there was a lot of positives.”

LONDON, ENGLAND: Vicente Guaita of Crystal Palace looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion at Selhurst Park on February 11, 2023. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Arsenal face resilient Crystal Palace defence

Arsenal won’t be taking anything for granted regardless of which goalkeeper is in Palace’s starting lineup, especially with Whitworth showing he’s not just going to fall apart in a senior game.

The goalkeeper is just one part of a defensive unit, and despite Palace’s poor form, they’ve generally had a strong record at the back.

They’ve only conceded more than once on one occasion in their last 10 games, when they let two in against Manchester United.

They held City, Brighton, and Chelsea to a single goal, among others, and kept clean sheets against Newcastle United and Liverpool.

They’ll set out to frustrate Arsenal this weekend, and Mikel Arteta’s side will need to be at their best to get the win.