Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger (Photo : Reuters)
Title-favorite Arsenal FC will to try to bounce back from their opening day fiasco as they visit a hard-fighting Crystal Palace FC eleven on Sunday, August 16, at the latter's Selhurst Park in South Norwood, London.
Arsene Wenger's boys were surprised by an inspired West Ham United squad right at their own Emirates Stadium last week as they dropped their opener, 0-2, against the Irons, as reported by Sports Illustrated.
In an attempt to reverse the game's complexion, Wenger substituted Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez over defender Mathieu Debuchy in the 67th minute to provide additional offense but the move was futile.
Coming off a huge 1-0 victory over defending Premier League champions Chelsea in the 2015 Community Shield game, the Gunners were unable to penetrate the organized defense of new West Ham coach Slaven Bilić, who had just taken over from Sam Allardyce on June 9.
The Eagles defeated newly-promoted squad Norwich City FC, 3-1, in their opener last week amidst a controversial disallowed goal from the Canaries' side. Norwich forward Cameron Jerome thought he had tied the game at 2-2, but the goal was ruled out, as per BBC Sport.
The prediction is a 2-0 win for Arsenal. Wenger could not afford to lose his first two games in this promising season for the Gunners. Crystal Palace will put up a huge fight, but they will ultimately be overwhelmed as Arsenal's guns will be fully loaded in this match.
Crystal Palace starting lineup (4-4-1-1 formation): McCarthy; Delaney, Souaré, Dann, Ward; Zaha, Puncheon, McArthur, Cabaye; Murray; Mutch
Arsenal starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Cech; Mertesacker, Debuchy, Monreal, Koscielny; Cazoria, Özil; Ramsey, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Giroud
