Arsenal could be 16 points off the top of the Premier League table and indeed down in fourth position by the time that they take to the field against Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.
Leaders Leicester City and fourth-placed Manchester City both play before Arsenal this weekend and the Gunners must pick up another three points against Palace to consolidate their spot in the Champions League positions.
Arsenal
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With the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City all struggling for form this season, this was supposed to be the year where Arsenal reclaimed the Premier League title. Instead, they face losing out to Leicester, while their fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur are also in a strong position to finish above Arsene Wenger's team.
As it stands, the Gunners are 13 points behind the leaders Leicester and six points off second-placed Spurs. They do have a game in hand over both of those teams, however, and that will become two matches by the time that they take to the field on Sunday afternoon.
Man City are now just two points off third-placed Arsenal in fourth, however, and would move above the London side if they can collect all the points against Chelsea on Saturday night. In fact, fifth-placed Man United are just six points off Arsenal and the Red Devils have basement side Aston Villa at home on Saturday afternoon.
Arsenal will enter the match off the back of 3-3 draw at West Ham United last weekend, which helped neither team. They had recorded back-to-back wins over Everton and Watford before that, but a disappointing 2016 has seen them fail to get a grip on the Premier League crown.
It does appear that it will be another season of disappointment for the Gunners and there will be no FA Cup trophy to soften the blow of their league position this time around. The Arsenal fanbase remains split over Wenger's future, but failure to secure a top-four finish this season might see the Frenchman leave the club.
Arsenal do have a kind fixture list, however, as they host West Bromwich Albion and travel to Sunderland in their two league matches after this one. They will then welcome Norwich City on April 30, before travelling to Man City on May 8. Their campaign then ends at home to Aston Villa and it would be a major surprise if a healthy points total and top-four spot did not arrive as a consequence of that run.
Recent form: LLDWWD
Recent form (all competitions): WLLWWD
Palace
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It has been a rotten 2016 for Palace, but they will enter this match off the back of a three-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and having all but secured their place in the top flight for another season.
Indeed, a 2-2 draw at West Ham United at the start of the month was followed by a 1-0 victory over Norwich City last weekend. Alan Pardew's side then picked up a home point against Everton on Wednesday night to move them onto 37 points, some 10 points clear of 18th-placed Sunderland.
"That point might be crucial. I'd be very surprised if anyone in the bottom three can catch us," Pardew told reporters after the goalless draw with Everton. Premier League survival appears safe, but there is no getting away from the fact that it has been a very disappointing second half to the season for Palace, who promised so much.
Indeed, at the end of 2015, Palace were in contention for a Champions League finish, but just one league win in 2016 has seen them slide down the table into 16th position. They do have an FA Cup semi-final against Watford on April 24, however, and it would be some achievement if Pardew could bring an FA Cup trophy to the cabinet at Selhurst Park.
Next up for Palace in the league is a trip to Manchester United next Wednesday, before travelling to Newcastle United at the end of the month. They will then welcome Stoke City, before ending their league season away to Southampton.
Confidence among the Palace fans will not be too high ahead of this weekend's match, however, due to the team's recent struggles on the road. Pardew's side have won none of their last seven on their travels, but they actually have a better away record than home, having only recorded victories in five of their 18 league clashes at Selhurst Park.
Recent form: DWWDWD
Recent form (all competitions): LWLDWD
Team News
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Jack Wilshere continued his comeback for Arsenal with another appearance for the club's Under-21 team on Thursday afternoon, but it is still too soon for the England midfielder to be involved, while Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla is also still unavailable.
Petr Cech is expected to be recalled between the sticks in place of David Ospina, who conceded three times at West Ham, while Aaron Ramsey is also pushing for a spot in the middle of the park.
It seems likely that Wenger will keep faith with Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck in the final third, however, leaving Olivier Giroud, who has not scored in his last 11 league appearances, on the bench once again.
As for Palace, Pardew claimed on Wednesday night that he 'wanted to see more' from both Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha, but the pair are expected to be given spots in the final third.
Emmanuel Adebayor and Connor Wickham are both pushing for recalls after coming off the bench against Everton, but it seems likely that Pardew will keep faith with Dwight Gayle as the starting centre-forward.
Elsewhere, Mile Jedinak is expected to keep out Joe Ledley as Pardew once again prepares to name a 4-3-3 formation.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Elneny, Coquelin; Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck
Palace possible starting lineup:
Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Puncheon, Jedinak, Cabaye; Bolasie, Gayle, Zaha
Head To Head
Overall, these two teams have met on 38 occasions in all competitions. Arsenal have recorded 25 wins, Palace three, while there have been 10 draws between the two English rivals.
Arsenal have won 10 and lost just one of their 13 Premier League games with Palace, meanwhile, including victories in the last six. In fact, Palace have not beaten Arsenal in any competition since October 1994, when they recorded a 2-1 victory at Highbury.
This season, Palace have taken fewer points in London derbies (four) than any of the clubs from the capital and they were beaten 2-1 at home by Arsenal in the reverse match earlier this season.
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We say: Arsenal 3-0 Palace
This is a nice game for Arsenal. Palace now appear to be safe from the drop this season and in truth, their focus might have already switched to their FA Cup semi-final with Watford later this month. Arsenal need the points as they attempt to consolidate a spot in the top four and we are backing the home side to return to winning ways at the Emirates in routine fashion.
Matt Law
