Arsenal vs Crystal Palace team news and line-ups: Mesut Ozil misses out through illness while Lucas Perez gets a rare start
The game has come too soon for defender Shkodran Mustafi who has to settle for a place on the bench, while Mathieu Flamini starts against his former team
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THEO WALCOTT is out of Arsenal's clash against Crystal Palace on New Years Day.
The England international has a small calf injury whilst Kieran Gibbs is also unavailable after being kicked on the knee.
Arsenal will hope to make it two wins on the spin after beating West Brom 1-0, whilst Sam Allardyce is seeking his first win as Palace boss after drawing against Watford.
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What is the latest Arsenal team news?
Arsene Wenger confirmed Theo Walcott is out after he had picked up a "very small" calf problem.
Before saying defender Kieran Gibbs is unavailable after being kicked on the knee, with Wenger unsure on the severity of his injury.
Who is definitely out for Arsenal?
Walcott and Gibbs join an injury list of four other players at the Emirates. With Mathieu Debuchy, Santi Cazorla and Per Mertesacker all out with long-term injuries.
What is the latest Crystal Palace team news?
James McArthur and Joe Ledley both missed out on Palace's draw against Watford but could be available to Sam Allardyce for their trip to the Emirates.
Who is definitely out for Crystal Palace?
Whilst the long-term injury list is piling up at Selhurst Park with Loic Remy, Connor Wickham, Steve Mandanda and Bakary Sako all out. Whilst Damien Delaney is out through suspension.
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When is Arsenal vs Crystal Palace?
This game is on Sunday, January 1st (New Years Day), with a 4pm kick off at the Emirates.
Who will be showing Arsenal vs Crystal Palace?
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports 1 will be showing the game live on television, with coverage starting at 3:30pm.
Alternatively if you are unable to watch the match you can keep up to date on our live blog.
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Form guide:
Arsenal: WWLLW
Crystal Palace: WDLLD
Who is going to win - latest odds?
An Arsenal win is 1/3, whilst a draw is 9/2 and a Crystal Palace win is 8/1
SunSport prediction
Arsenal have not lost at home in the Premier League since the opening day of the season against Liverpool. And it would take a lot for Allardyce to mastermind his first win with the Eagles - who have not won in their last four matches.
I predict a 2-1 win for the Gunners.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace - Fact me
- Arsenal have won eight of their last 11 Premier League games against Crystal Palace, drawing the other three.
- Crystal Palace’s only Premier League win against Arsenal came in October 1994 at Highbury, as John Salako scored twice in a 2-1 victory.
- This will be the 200th Premier League game contested at the Emirates.
- Crystal Palace have won just one of their last seven league games away from home on New Year’s Day, beating Portsmouth in 1996 (D1 L5).
- By contrast, Arsenal haven’t lost a home league game on New Year’s Day since 1985 against Tottenham (W6 D2)
- Olivier Giroud has three Premier League goals against the Eagles, but all of those have been scored at Selhurst Park.