Kicking off the 22/23 Premier League season Crystal Palace hosts Arsenal. In this fixture last April, Palace ran out 3-0 winners, which was a day to forget for Arsenal supporters. Due to injuries Mikel Arteta was forced to start a pair of Portuguese fullbacks on opposite ends of their careers. On the right, the veteran Cedric was routinely beat by Wilfried Zaha. Regular starter Takehiro Tomiyasu is ready to go which is good news for Gooners. Kieran Tierney’s fitness troubles meant young Nuno Tavares played far too many minutes at left back and his performance in this match is one of several reasons he’s on loan in France this year. The signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko brings experience and competition to that position and Palace shouldn’t have as much joy attacking the wings.
Patrick Vieira had a fantastic first season in charge at Palace. He transformed an aging squad inherited from Roy Hodgson and they became a much better side. A 12th place finish was very respectable and they’re aiming even higher this year. No one quite knows how significant the loss of Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher will be but they have made a couple of good signings in Cheick Doucoure, Chris Richards and Sam Johnstone. Selhurst Park remains one of the toughest away grounds in the league and the Eagles should finish mid table again this season.
