Arsenal face real test from resurgent Palace

ARSENE Wenger knows Arsenal cannot afford a repeat of their last trip to Selhurst Park when they face Crystal Palace today.

The Gunners have benefited from extra rest compared to their rivals in the battle for a top four place and face the Eagles six days after the pulsating 3-3 draw with Liverpool that marked the start of the holiday fixtures.

But in the meantime, they have seen Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea all win to intensify the battle for a Champions League spot.

That means Wenger’s side face Palace knowing they risk losing ground if they fail to claim three points.

That was a task that proved beyond them when they faced the Eagles last April and turned in one of their worst displays of the season in a 3-0 defeat.

Palace were involved in a desperate battle to avoid relegation and they overwhelmed an Arsenal side that fell short in their efforts to finish in the top four, failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time under Wenger.

This time around, the gap to fourthplaced Liverpool is four points, while victory will move them level on points with Tottenham in fifth.

The season will produce many more twists and turns, but heading into the second half of the campaign, it would be a major blow if there were signs of Wenger’s side losing ground, particularly while the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil remain up in the air.

Whether those two players stay on remains to be seen, but Wenger has suggested back-in-form Jack Wilshere will be handed a new deal. – AFP