Arsenal vs Crystal Palace LIVE!

Arsenal have moved eight points clear in the Premier League title race after making light work of managerless Crystal Palace in another key London derby on Sunday afternoon. With rivals Manchester City on FA Cup quarter-final duty this weekend, the Gunners extended their advantage at the top-flight summit going into the March international break with a sixth successive league win.

Mikel Arteta got a swift reaction from his side after they were stunned by Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League on Thursday night, falling at home in the last-16 via the cruel lottery of a penalty shootout. They have now equalled their entire points tally from last season with 10 games still to play this term, with Bukayo Saka netting a brace and both Gabriel Martinelli and Granit Xhaka also on target.

Palace have still yet to win a league game in 2023 and sacked Gunners icon Patrick Vieira on Friday sitting just three points above relegation danger, where they remain amid rumours over a shock return to the dugout for Roy Hodgson. Follow Arsenal vs Crystal Palace reaction live below, with expert analysis from Simon Collings at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace highlights

• GOAL! Saka restores three-goal lead after Zaha miss

• GOAL! Schlupp turns home from corner for Palace lifeline

• GOAL! Xhaka makes it three after the break

• GOAL! Saka doubles lead just before half-time

• GOAL! Martinelli breaks deadlock in London derby

Arsenal FC 4 - 1 Crystal Palace FC

Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium

16:00 , George Flood

A comfortable win for Arsenal and just what was needed after defeat by Sporting on Thursday.

Holding did well at centre-back, while Martinelli bounced back from his penalty miss.

Saka excellent again. Eight points clear of City now with 10 games to go.

Full-time

15:55 , George Flood

Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace

15:54 , George Flood

94 mins: That’s a smart low save from Ramsdale to deny Eze after Zaha had cut in off the left wing and beaten makeshift right-back Partey.

A decent flick from Ayew into Eze’s path, but the offside flag is now up.

15:53 , George Flood

15:52 , George Flood

91 mins: Into four minutes of added time at the Emirates with this game long since decided.

Zaha finds himself free in the box, but he delays too long and is denied by a good tackle from Kiwior.

Ayew keeps the attack alive, but his drive at the near post is blocked by Odegaard.

15:51 , George Flood

I daresay probably the only time this season we will see this....

15:49 , George Flood

88 mins: What a ball from Ramsdale to set up Saka, with Palace just scrambling to clear for a corner.

Arsenal hunting a late fifth goal but Whitworth makes a comfortable claim.

Their goal difference is currently +40, while City’s is +42...

15:47 , George Flood

85 mins: The ball doesn’t quite sit up for Odegaard as he drills wide.

A Premier League debut now for Arsenal’s January signing Jakub Kiwior.

Gabriel makes way for the Polish international.

Simon Collings at Emirates Stadium

15:44 , George Flood

Interesting. Ben White going off for Jorginho. Partey is playing right-back.

15:43 , George Flood

80 mins: The excellent White and Martinelli are going off for Arsenal now.

On come Jorginho and Emile Smith Rowe.

Palace replace Olise and Schlupp with Eberi Eze and January signing Naouirou Ahamada.

15:41 , George Flood

78 mins: Relentless Arsenal are pressing hard for a fifth goal as fans continue to sing Patrick Vieira’s name and ‘we are top of the league’.

A Tomkins mix-up almost puts Palace in all sorts of further trouble, but he gets lucky and then shows good strength to snuff out the danger from Jesus.

The Brazilian wants a penalty, but there’s no chance.

Simon Collings at Emirates Stadium

15:38 , George Flood

A nice moment for Tierney to get the assist there. He has barely had a kick recently and needs to take every chance he gets.

GOAL! Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace | Bukayo Saka 74'

15:34 , George Flood

74 mins: Now they have that three-goal lead back!

It’s a wonderful first-time strike from Saka for his brace that arrows past Whitworth and into the back of the net.

Nice assist from Tierney, who played a perfect pass after Olise and Hughes could not scramble clear following Jesus’ touch.

The goal is given after yet another tiresome VAR check.

15:33 , George Flood

70 mins: What a chance for Palace to get right back into this game with 20 minutes to play!

It’s more promising play from Schlupp, who slips Zaha in behind and the Eagles talisman pulls a low effort agonisingly wide of the far post.

That really should have been 3-2. Arsenal need to sharpen up defensively having been coasting earlier on.

15:30 , George Flood

67 mins: Arsenal want to restore that three-goal advantage, with Holding fancying a potential Van Basten-esque attempt.

But it’s blocked for a corner by Ayew, which Jesus heads wide at the back post after enough defensive work from Hughes in front.

15:28 , George Flood

65 mins: Two changes from Arteta after that Palace goal.

Zinchenko and Trossard make way for Kieran Tierney and Gabriel Jesus.

McCarthy sends on Jordan Ayew and Will Hughes in place of Milivojevic and Edouard.

GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Crystal Palace | Jeffrey Schlupp 63'

15:23 , George Flood

63 mins: Yes they can!

Schlupp pokes home from close range after an Olise corner.

A messy goal but they all count. Ramsdale beats the ground in frustration with his clean sheet ruined.

Comeback on?!

Goal stands after a VAR check for handball.

15:22 , George Flood

61 mins: White is beaten by Mitchell before getting back to tackle him and thunder behind for a rare Palace corner.

Can they make something of it?

15:21 , George Flood

59 mins: Some ill-advised attempted trickery on the edge of his own box from Zaha almost opens the door for Arsenal again.

Gabriel Jesus and Kieran Tierney are about to come on for Arsenal.

15:19 , George Flood

57 mins: Arsenal fans once again singing Patrick Vieira’s name after that third goal.

Tomkins takes out Trossard and receives a yellow card.

Simon Collings at Emirates Stadium

15:18 , George Flood

Arteta has sent a few subs to warm up, including Emile Smith Rowe. Three goals to the good. Feels like an ideal time to rest some players.

GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace | Granit Xhaka 54'

15:15 , George Flood

54 mins: Game, set and match!

It’s another gorgeous Arsenal attacking move and Xhaka does not even have to break stride to finish it off after being played in on goal by Trossard.

Surely no way back for Palace now.

15:14 , George Flood

52 mins: Palace have responded to that early second-half onslaught, with Zaha stinging Ramsdale’s palms with a fierce drive to the front post.

Ramsdale was unlikely to be beaten from that angle and parries behind.

White clears the subsequent corner.

15:11 , George Flood

50 mins: Zaha cuts inside off the left flank and tries to weave his way through Saka and White in the box, going down under minimal contact.

No penalty.

15:09 , George Flood

47 mins: Heavy pressure from Arsenal straight from the off in this second half.

Tomkins turns away Saka’s cross from the byline and Zinchenko has a long-range drive blocked as they continue to pick up where they left off and turn the screw in search of a third goal that would truly put this game to bed.

Second half

15:06 , George Flood

Back underway at the Emirates!

No changes from Arteta or McCarthy at the break.

Will this be plain sailing for Arsenal from here, or can Palace stage a comeback?

15:04 , George Flood

What a season Bukayo Saka is having...

Simon Collings at Emirates Stadium

14:57 , George Flood

After a slow start, that was a good half from Arsenal.

They scored two well-taken goals and controlled the game from around the 20-minute mark.

Rob Holding has been solid so far. Ben White excellent at right-back.

Half-time

14:51 , George Flood

Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace

The Gunners looked nervy early on after Zaha struck the post, but normal service has resumed since then.

Goals from Martinelli and Saka have them well on track to move eight points clear of title rivals Manchester City at the Premier League summit heading into the international break.

And they won’t be content with scoring just two, either.

Palace’s winless run will stretch to 13 games bar an unlikely second-half comeback.

A huge team talk ahead for caretaker McCarthy.

14:49 , George Flood

45 mins: Three minutes of added time signalled at the end of this first half.

14:48 , George Flood

44 mins: Arsenal are not merely content with a 2-0 half-time lead here.

Tomkins has to make a block on Trossard before Partey fires wide after good work from Odegaard.

Arsenal rampant. Palace need the half-time whistle here.

GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace | Bukayo Saka 43'

14:44 , George Flood

43 mins: It’s two!

Silky football from Arsenal again, but they can’t quite work the initial finish.

That is until yet more great link-up play between White and Saka.

Saka finds White, who returns the favour with a fine ball inside Zaha.

Saka takes it on and curves a super low strike beyond Whitworth and into the bottom corner.

A mountain to climb for Palace now. The goal stands after a brief VAR check for offside.

Simon Collings at Emirates Stadium

14:44 , George Flood

Ben White has been excellent so far after almost being caught early on by Zaha.

He is linking up really well with Saka and getting forward whenever he can. Timely after he missed out on the England squad this week.

14:43 , George Flood

41 mins: White and Saka heavily involved again for Arsenal as they look to double their advantage before the interval.

Odegaard eventually drifts across the box and drags a low shot wide of the near post under close attention from Doucoure and Olise.

Martinelli not happy with his captain - he wanted the pass there.

14:42 , George Flood

38 mins: Close from Arsenal as Partey meets Odegaard’s accurate delivery - but his header drifts wide of the far post.

Ward did just enough there to put him off.

14:40 , George Flood

37 mins: Arsenal force another corner through Trossard that is well cleared by Guehi.

But the Gunners keep the pressure on and Milivojevic is too eager to try and nick the ball away from Xhaka, who is moving well after that earlier knock.

Free-kick in a dangerous area for Odegaard.

14:38 , George Flood

34 mins: Saka twists and turns to get a shot away, but it’s deflected into the air and Ward powers a header away.

Olise is then lucky not to have his name taken for a cynical trip on Zinchenko.

14:35 , George Flood

32 mins: Relief for Arsenal with Xhaka now back on his feet after treatment.

He looks okay to continue.

Simon Collings at Emirates Stadium

14:35 , George Flood

A big goal for Arsenal and an equally big one for Martinelli after he missed the decisive penalty on Thursday.

He turns towards where his family sits on the way back to the halfway line and punches the air towards them.

14:33 , George Flood

30 mins: From joy to concern for Arteta almost immediately as Xhaka goes down in some discomfort after a painful collision with Olise.

That looked very painful. Knee-on-knee contact.

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace | Gabriel Martinelli 28'

14:29 , George Flood

28 mins: Deadlock broken!

Great play from White to link up with Saka, whose lofted pass is taken on brilliantly inside the box by the Brazilian.

He shifts it away from Ward with one foot before arrowing across goal and back into the bottom corner with the other.

That’s his 13th Premier League goal of the season - just what he needed to bounce back from that decisive penalty miss on Thursday.

14:28 , George Flood

26 mins: Olise has not always been known for tracking back with solid defensive work, but he’s done it on several times already in this first half.

A superbly-timed sliding tackle stops Trossard in his tracks and he is then brought down by the Belgian, who again complains bitterly to referee Attwell.

14:27 , George Flood

24 mins: Trossard frustrated as a nifty Arsenal passing move breaks down on the edge of the Palace box and he then hauls down Olise.

Palace are showing a lot on the counter, with Schlupp playing a key role in the hole.

He combines nicely on the break with Zaha and Edouard, but the latter’s pass is just behind Olise and Arsenal clear.

14:24 , George Flood

21 mins: Mitchell is up and fine to continue.

Now Edouard gets a telling off from the referee after a late challenge on Holding.

14:24 , George Flood

20 mins: By the way, James Tomkins is starting at centre-back for Palace today after Joachim Andersen suffered an injury in the warm-up.

There are now concerns over Tyrick Mitchell, who is down and in need of treatment.

14:20 , George Flood

17 mins: A poor clearance from Saka’s cross from Ward sees the ball fall dangerously for Odegaard, whose well-struck effort is well parried by young Whitworth at full stretch in the Palace goal.

Saka chases the follow-up but the offside flag goes up to deny the England winger.

14:18 , George Flood

16 mins: Brilliant from Schlupp to set Edouard free, with Ramsdale getting down to make a superb save one-on-one with the offside flag then raised.

Another warning for Arsenal.

Moments before, there were very muted appeals for an Arsenal penalty after Guehi’s sliding challenge on Saka.

Referee Stuart Attwell rightly wasn’t interested.

14:16 , George Flood

13 mins: Palace’s discipline and work rate has been impressive early on at the Emirates.

But Arsenal are having pockets of joy on the ball and Ward has to get across to prevent Saka from letting fly from inside the box.

The Gunners back dominating the ball after that jolt on the counter from Zaha.

Simon Collings at Emirates Stadium

14:13 , George Flood

A sign of the threat Zaha carries. Arsenal need to be wary about leaving him one on one with White, he’s got the pace to beat him in a foot race.

14:13 , George Flood

11 mins: Woodwork!

The first real chance falls to Palace, with Zaha cutting inside White before unleashing a low shot that cannons back off the near post and ricochets wide off Ramsdale.

Brilliant from Palace’s talisman and a lucky break for Ramsdale to see that deflection go wide.

14:11 , George Flood

8 mins: Milivojevic times his tackle to perfection as Arsenal search for an early opener.

Brief shouts for handball against Palace but nothing doing after good work from Trossard.

14:11 , George Flood

Not used to seeing these scenes in English football....

14:07 , George Flood

5 mins: Arsenal are dominating possession early on as you might expect, with another key interception from Cheick Doucoure.

But Palace are committed to a high press.

14:05 , George Flood

3 mins: A positive start from Arsenal and Martinelli is almost in after a slick one-two with Xhaka inside the Palace box.

Marc Guehi has to get across and make an important intervention for the visitors.

14:03 , George Flood

1 min: The pitch is shrouded in smoke early on due to those flares in the Palace end.

Patrick Vieira’s name continues to ring around the ground.

Arsenal in their familiar red and white home kits today, with Palace in their black away strips with the tidy blue and red sash.

Simon Collings at Emirates Stadium

14:01 , George Flood

Arsenal fans singing Patrick Vieira’s name. This was supposed to be a homecoming for the Frenchman but he was sacked on Friday morning. Still loved in north London, though.

KICK-OFF

14:00 , George Flood

Underway at the Emirates!

Looks like a few flares have already been set off in the away end.

13:53 , George Flood

Final preparations at the Emirates!

A sixth straight Premier League win would see Arsenal go into the international break eight points clear at the summit.

Managerless Palace, meanwhile, are still chasing their first victory of 2023.

Crystal Palace face questions of ambition after Vieira sacking

13:42 , George Flood

Patrick Vieira was brought to Crystal Palace to revolutionise the club’s style of play and eventually push for European football after nearly a decade of respectable ­finishes in the Premier League, writes Dan Kilpatrick.

But Vieira was sacked on Friday with the Eagles mired in the type of relegation dogfight they were supposed to have outgrown, and playing a brand of football as uninspiring and toothless as anything served up by his recent predecessors.

Palace chairman Steve Parish was reluctant to dismiss the 46-year-old but felt he had no choice following a dismal run of form since the turn of the year, with Palace winless in 11 League games and three points above the drop zone with 11 more to play.

The timing of Vieira’s dismissal leaves Sunday’s ominous visit to champions-elect Arsenal as a free-hit and should give the new manager the international break to get settled.

Parish did not trust Vieira to take charge of the eight remaining six-pointers against the other clubs in relegation trouble, but the Frenchman can feel aggrieved that Palace’s winless run has come exclusively against teams above them in the table, including games against five of the ‘big six’ and Manchester United twice.

Read the article in full here

13:41 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at Emirates Stadium

13:31 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Arsenal correspondent Simon Collings is in position at the Emirates and offers his thoughts on that Gunners team news....

Ward and Milivojevic come in for Palace

13:18 , George Flood

Nothing drastic from Palace caretaker boss Paddy McCarthy in terms of changes to Patrick Vieira’s set-up after the 1-0 loss at rivals Brighton in midweek.

The ineligible Albert Sambi Lokonga is replaced in midfield by club captain Luka Milivojevic.

The only other change is at right-back, where Joel Ward is preferred to Nathaniel Clyne.

Teenager Joe Whitworth is in goal for only his second Premier League appearance as expected.

Will Hughes is back from illness to take a seat on the bench, but still no James McArthur in the squad.

Holding replaces injured Saliba in Arsenal defence

13:13 , George Flood

Arsenal show just one change from their ruthless 3-0 win over Fulham in another Premier League London derby at Craven Cottage last weekend, with Rob Holding getting the nod as expected at centre-back alongside Gabriel with William Saliba out.

January signing Jakub Kiwior comes onto the bench with the injured Takehiro Tomiyasu also sidelined, as does 18-year-old defender Reuell Walters.

Leandro Trossard continues in attack with Gabriel Jesus back on the bench after playing 45 minutes on his first start for four months against Sporting.

The likes of Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard return to the starting XI after initially being rested on Thursday before all being thrown on in a losing effort.

Crystal Palace lineup

13:02 , George Flood

Starting XI: Whitworth, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Milivojevic, Doucoure, Schlupp, Olise, Edouard, Zaha

Subs: Tomkins, Ayew, Eze, Mateta, Clyne, Hughes, Richards, Ahamada, Goodman

Arsenal lineup

13:01 , George Flood

Starting XI: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

Subs: Tierney, Gabriel Jesus, Smith Rowe, Kiwior, Jorginho, Vieira, Nelson, Turner, Walters

12:57 , George Flood

Official lineups are now just moments away.

Stay tuned!

12:46 , George Flood

The atmosphere is already building nicely around the Emirates, where there is such a fizzing buzz and sense of anticipation and expectation these days.

Team news to come very shortly!

Parish: Palace still optimistic despite Vieira sacking

12:31 , George Flood

Palace are on an 12-match winless run across all competitions, with their last win coming against Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve.

It is their longest sequence without a win since they failed to pick up a victory in 14 consecutive games between December 2015 and April 2016.

They have scored just four goals in that time and are yet to net in the first half of any game in 2023, still sitting in 12th but now just three points above the relegation zone.

Quizzed by Sky Sports after Vieira’s sacking, Palace co-owner Steve Parish said: "The players are fine and everybody is looking forward to Sunday, really.

"The feeling is good. You know, everybody loved Patrick, genuinely. The players had all the time in the world for him. You saw from the performances he never lost the players at all, they were all running and playing for him.

"I think things just weren't happening, so the mood was good, it was fine, but obviously we're hoping that there's a bit of fresh impetus, a few different ideas, maybe we surprise the opposition a little bit doing something different.

"We've got good players, we've got a good squad, we've got good lads. They follow Patrick and they will follow Paddy and they will follow Darren and they will do the best for the football club.

"Everybody is positive and wants to do their best and believes that we can win football matches. I'm not going to tell you it's amazing today because Patrick is gone, because Patrick is a great guy and people loved working with him.

"I'm sure he will go on and be as successful as he was last year for us somewhere else, and he will maybe learn from the bits where it lost its way a little bit, and I really hope he does. It's just football, isn't it?"

Palace caretaker McCarthy relishing ‘great opportunity'

12:22 , George Flood

Raising spirits at Palace following Patrick Vieira’s departure will be no easy feat for U21 boss and former long-serving defender Paddy McCarthy, who is supported today by assistant Darren Powell and goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely.

Palace cancelled their Friday press conference after Vieira’s sacking but McCarthy still spoke to the club’s in-house television channel after taking senior training for the first time.

“Under strange circumstances, the lads showed good energy and enthusiasm,” he said.

"Obviously it's a massive moment for myself, but ultimately it's not about me.

"My only focus at the moment is about getting the team prepared and ready for Arsenal in the short space of time that we have, so everything's just going to be geared into that.

"I'll push all of that emotion to one side. Yes, it's going to be a great opportunity for myself and Darren [Powell] to manage at that level, but the focus is solely on setting the game plan and implementing that on Sunday."

Head to head record

12:13 , George Flood

Palace have won only two of 22 away visits to Arsenal in the Premier League era, in 1994 and 2019.

Having said that, four of the last seven games between these two sides have ended in draws, including three in a row at the Emirates.

Palace brushed aside Arsenal 3-0 at Selhurst Park last season as Arteta’s side crumbled in the race for Champions League qualification.

But the Gunners’ title charge began with a comfortable 2-0 victory in SE25 in the season curtain-raiser back in August, with Gabriel Martinelli on target along with an own goal from Marc Guehi.

Odegaard rallying cry: ‘Arsenal will strike back!'

12:03 , George Flood

That rhetoric from Mikel Arteta was echoed by Gunners captain Martin Odegaard, who believes Arsenal will quickly learn the lessons from Thursday’s disappointment.

“I think every time we have lost this season we have learned something from it,” said the Norwegian skipper. “Every time we have come back and changed the situation again.

“That is what we are going to do again and the next game comes quick, so it’s a good opportunity to strike back. We talked about it already in the dressing room, we have to move forward now.

“We are always together, even if we lose. It’s been a good season, a lot of wins, but we have to be together in the tough moments as well. We have to show it (our mentality) now. It’s 11 finals for us.”

Arteta urges Arsenal to bounce back from Europa League exit

11:57 , George Flood

Arsenal’s last rare setback during a fairytale campaign led to a notable dip in Premier League form, with their FA Cup fourth-round exit at the hands of Manchester City in late January followed by defeats to Everton and City in the top-flight plus a frustrating draw with Brentford.

And Mikel Arteta has urged his side to bounce back quickly from the sting of that shock penalty shootout defeat by Sporting Lisbon that saw them crash out of the Europa League at the last-16 stage.

The chance to go eight points clear of City at the top of the table would be quite the tonic after Gabriel Martinelli’s crucial miss on Thursday.

"I tried to give a lot of clarity in the dressing room," Arteta said.

"It was all about the message: accept it, swallow it, we have to learn from it but there is no point now spending one bit of energy or thought that is going to take something out of Sunday.

"We have to be at our best again in the Premier League against Palace to beat them and I want everybody just recovering mentally and physically to be in the best possible condition for the game.

"I saw a lot of things on Thursday, especially when we were giving a lot of balls away and suffering, that they did it together,” he added.

"The way they reacted, the way they were when we conceded a goal and how the game changed after that. It shows me a lot of positive signs.

"The downside to it is that we could not materialise in the end to win it because - at the end - I think we deserved to win it and be through, but it wasn't enough, it was maybe too late.

"On Friday it was about delivering the message about the Palace game and lifting them up and making sure they are there in the best possible condition."

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace prediction

11:46 , George Flood

Perhaps Palace can expect something of a new manager bounce but, frankly, even that doesn’t look like it’ll be enough to beat Arsenal.

Arsenal to win, 2-0.

Crystal Palace team news

11:44 , George Flood

Crystal Palace are missing Albert Sambi Lokonga today with the Arsenal loanee ineligible to face his parent club.

Fellow midfielders Will Hughes and James McArthur remain doubtful after illness, while Nathan Ferguson remains on the comeback trail.

Neither of Vicente Guaita (hamstring) or Sam Johnstone (calf) are expected to return this afternoon, meaning 19-year-old Joe Whitworth should make only his second Premier League start in goal.

The academy graduate was called up to the squad in midweek and made an impressive debut despite a 1-0 loss to fierce rivals Brighton.

Arsenal team news

11:39 , George Flood

Arsenal will be without William Saliba this afternoon after the French defender was substituted early against Sporting on Thursday with a back issue.

Reports from France yesterday claimed that the 21-year-old, yet to miss a Premier League game this season, was facing several weeks on the sidelines.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is also out after sustaining a serious-looking knee problem against Sporting, while Mohamed Elneny and Eddie Nketiah remain in the treatment room.

Standard Sport understands that 18-year-old defender Reuell Walters has been called into the senior squad today.

Gabriel Jesus should lead the line again after his first start for four months on Thursday, with his withdrawal at half-time versus Sporting all part of the plan.

His replacement in that match, Leandro Trossard, has also shaken off a groin problem.

Where to watch Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

11:36 , George Flood

TV channel and live stream: Today’s game will not be broadcast live on television in the UK.

Highlights: Match of the Day 2, however, will show highlights when it airs on BBC One at 10.30pm GMT on Sunday night.

Welcome to Arsenal vs Crystal Palace LIVE coverage!

11:31 , George Flood

Hello and welcome to the Evening Standard’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal vs Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

It’s a huge London derby in store at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon, with the Gunners looking to bounce back from their shock Europa League last-16 penalty shootout exit at the hands of Sporting Lisbon and take advantage of title rivals Manchester City being on FA Cup duty this weekend to take an eight-point lead at the top-flight summit into the international break.

Arsenal are strong favourites to dispatch miserable Palace, who have gone 11 league games without a win and have Under-21 coach Paddy McCarthy in temporary charge this afternoon with the decision taken to sack Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira on Friday.

The Eagles now sit just three points above the relegation zone having not tasted victory at all in 2023 and will be glancing very nervously over their shoulders if that dire run continues here.

Kick-off today is at 2pm GMT, so stay tuned for match build-up, live updates and all the latest team news and lineups. Expert analysis comes from Standard Sport’s Arsenal correspondent Simon Collings at the Emirates.