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Arsenal host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday knowing they could have the chance to stretch their lead at the top of the standings if Liverpool slip up against Brentford the day before.
The Gunners start the latest matchday with a three-point lead at the summit, so they know they will stay top by the time they kick off at Emirates Stadium regardless of other results.
That should give them confidence: they have only lost two out of 70 home Premier League games when beginning the day top of the standings.
Palace had been on a 19-match unbeaten run until a surprise defeat to Everton on October 5. Since then, they have played out a gripping six-goal draw with Bournemouth before a shock home loss to AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Conference League this week.
Arsenal thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 a day earlier, meaning Eagles fans may have greater trepidation about this fixture than they might have done at the start of October.
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Arsenal lineup vs. Crystal Palace: Projected starting XI
Raya (GK)
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori
Rice, Zubimendi, Eze
Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Formation: 4-3-3
Arsenal team news
Arteta should stick with largely the same side that beat Atletico Madrid in midweek. One likely change would be Riccardo Calafiori coming back in for Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back.
Eberechi Eze enjoyed a slightly more advanced midfield role against Atleti and should keep his place against his old club. Martin Zubimendi will get the nod over Mikel Merino, assuming he is fully fit after his exertions this week.
In attack, Gabriel Martinelli has found goal-scoring form and will hope to start ahead of Leandro Trossard. Viktor Gyokeres will want to build on the two goals he scored against Atletico, having scored just once in his previous six Premier League outings.
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Arsenal injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Arsenal, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Kai Havertz
- Injury: Knee
- Expected return date: Late November, 2025
Havertz had a minor operation after damaging his knee in the opening win over Manchester United. Arteta is eager not to rush him back as the manager wants to keep the player fully fit for as long as possible. After the November international break is the target.
Gabriel Jesus
- Injury: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) (left knee)
- Expected return date: January 2026
Jesus has not played since suffering a serious knee injury in January 2025. Arteta said they are hopeful of having the striker back “between December and January”, but he is cautiously optimistic that the Brazilian could return sooner.
Noni Madueke
- Injury: Knee
- Expected return date: Late November, 2025
Madueke hurt his knee against Manchester City in September and had to be substituted after attempting to play through the pain. The timeframe for his recovery was “weeks”, and it seems unlikely he will be back until after the November international break.
Martin Odegaard
- Injury: Knee
- Expected return date: Late November, 2025
Captain Odegaard has been beset by injury problems this season. His latest, a knee issue, is expected to rule him out until the latter part of November, although Arteta has been wary of putting a precise estimate on his recovery time.
Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace match details
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Kickoff time: 2 p.m. local / 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT / 1 a.m. AEDT (Oct. 27)
- Location: Emirates Stadium, London (England)
- Competition: Premier League matchweek 9
- Referee: Tom Bramall
- VAR: Chris Kavanagh
