Why These Four Players Should Start Tonight Against Palace

 By Danong

Tonight, Arsenal host Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash.

Under Mikel Arteta, our only success in the cup competitions was the 2020 FA Cup triumph. In the last two seasons however we've been making significant progress in the league, fiercely competing for the title and running Man City very close to league glory. We haven't shown however the same determination in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.

That needs to change so that Mikel Arteta doesn't have to be asked questions like, "You’ve only won one trophy. Is this a chance to win another?" like he was asked on Tuesday. He corrected the Sky Sports journalist pointing out the two Community Shields won too.

Tonight it is imperative that Arsenal beat Palace not only to return to winning ways but to also lay down the psychological base on which to win the PL game on the weekend against the same team.

Arsenal will have to do it without Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori who are now long term absentees.  More importantly Rice may also not be available after being subbed off due to injury in that 0-0 draw with Everton. Ahead of the Palace game tonight, Arteta said "He’s fine. We will make the decision on whether he’s available or not."

Even so, Arsenal should still have a strong team to beat a Palace side that the Gunners have beaten in the last four meetings.

I expect Arteta's line up to include Kiwior, Nwaneri, Jesus and Sterling:

- Goalkeeper: Raya

- Defense: Timber, Saliba, Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Skelly

- Midfield: Partey, Merino and Nwaneri

- Attack: Saka, Jesus and Sterling

Why this lineup?

Gabriel has just returned from injury and may need a rest and Kiwior deserves to play. Rice shouldn't be risked. Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz look like they need a rest (though it would be wise to introduce them in the second half). Merino deserves a chance to play. It may be wise to try Sterling on the left wing; he might just be the "savior" of that position given Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli's struggles there. Jesus should be given the chance to carry on the fine display against Monaco.

Arteta will get his players to come out fighting and force the game against Palace as we need to get back to winning ways and also score goals from open play so that the confidence can flow back. 

If we win tonight, here's where we are:

- Premier League: 3rd with 66 points to play for, 6 points off the top (with a game more than Liverpool)

- Champions League: 3rd, all but qualified, with Zagreb and Girona fixtures to play

- FA Cup: Third round vs United at the Emirates Stadium to come 

- Carabao Cup: Semi-Finals. By reaching the semi-finals we can surely go all the way and win it.

Yes, we’ve not been good enough recently, but it’s nowhere near over, is it?