Arsenal v Crystal Palace - e-Football Preview‏

Article by e-Arsenal Correspondent Andrew Given

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This is it, the beginning of the end, the race to the finish line and i couldn't be more terrified.

With the transfer window officially closed and Arsenal, undoubtedly, doing quite poor we have a crazy few months ahead of us, so crazy in fact that the game against Palace tomorrow could metaphorically be seen as the calm before the shit storm.

We didn't end up getting another striker and i see that as a big worry heading into our next fixtures. From what i can gather in the news Wenger tired and failed so we're going to have to smother Giroud in bubble wrap between games and play Bendtner at every other opportunity, not a great set up but what can we do?

In my opinion we could have done worse than Kallstrom, he's an international with tons of experience, an eye for a pass and a wicked long shot. He's no Draxler but then again who is?

Our boys will head out tomorrow looking to redeem themselves for the points dropped against Southampton on Tuesday and it really shouldn't be hard. Palace have a terrible away record this year scoring only 5 goals away from Selhurst Park all season. They've lost 4 of their last 5 games and haven't won since Boxing Day. All is looking bright.

Palace were one of the more active teams during the final day of the transfer window picking up 5 new players including Tom Ince on loan from Blackpool, Scott Dann from Blackburn, Jason Puncheon from Southampton, Joe Ledley from Celtic and Wayne Hennessey from Wolves. Not too shabby from Pulis but how many of these players actually start tomorrow is yet to be seen.

Jack Whishire and Aaron Ramsey are still out injured while Flamini is just starting his three match ban so there is a very good possibility that Kallstrom will start alongside Arteta. Our defence will most likely remain unchanged but it is yet to be seen if Kieron Gibbs will start after being rested against Southampton. Contract rebel Sagna will more than likely start and should be looking to have a better game than he did last week pulling together only a 67% pass rate, maybe his mind was focused on more financial matters.

Ozil will start in the hole behind Giroud, Cazorla on the left and most likely Chamberlain on the right needing to get back up to match fitness. Gnabry is one to keep your eye on for the future but at the moment until he gains a little more consistency it might be better keeping him as a sub.

I said the same thing last week against Southampton but tomorrow should be nothing but a formality and an easy three points for us. Not just an easy three points but a necessary three points and hoping we pick them up we'll have to wait till Monday when Man City play Chelsea too see if we can get back to the top of the table.

The next four months are going to come and go so quickly, we are still in the running for three trophies and we don't have to worry about the transfer market anymore. All we can do now is shout our support, pray to the football gods that no one gets seriously injured and that we show consistency, fearlessness and maturity going into the weeks ahead.

Come on the Arsenal!

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