Crystal Palace vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League staff information and line-ups as Gunners chase leaders

Mikel Arteta admits he was initially “terrified” when he took over at Arsenal five years ago but he is now relishing the challenge of pursuing perfection.

The 42-year-old is the Premier League’s third longest-serving manager after overhauling his club’s culture and transforming the Gunners into bona-fide title contenders.

Arteta is now thriving under the constant pressure, but confesses there was once a time when the whole project felt a bit daunting.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner on Eberechi Eze’s injury:

“He got a hit against Brighton on his foot. He played with quite a swollen foot at the Emirates and also got the next kick there, so he is not 100 per cent.

“We need every player 100 per cent, so it makes sense. We decided that he gets a rest and hopefully he will be available for Bournemouth.

“It doesn’t look serious, but you have to wear the boots, kick the ball and it is painful. It is not that free in terms of movement.

“You always feel pain when you move and then you are thinking too much about this and can’t play how you can play.

“We need the best Eberechi Eze he can be and therefore he has to be fit like all the other players.”

Mikel Arteta insists he is not thinking too far ahead about his long-term future on the five-year anniversary of his appointment as Arsenal boss.

Arteta, who takes his side to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday after knocking them out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, took over a struggling 10th-placed side three weeks after Unai Emery had been sacked.

He has since transformed the North Londoners – and remains emphatic about how much he enjoys the role – but when asked to picture himself in the same chair come 2029 admitted it felt a bit too far in the distance.

Put to him if he could imagine himself as Arsenal boss another five years down the line, Arteta instantly replied: “No. I mean, I think you have to live in the present in this job, and obviously you have to plan for what’s coming in the mid-term and long-term, that’s for sure, and we have a lot of conversations regarding that.

“But I think the energy has to be in the moment, paying attention to every detail and understanding how things are working, putting more processes in place to make better decisions, and always have that aim to keep everybody in this fit, to get the best out of them, and make sure they feel part of what they do.”

Arsenal have drawn their last two Premier League games, with a 0-0 against Everton following the 1-1 at Fulham two weeks ago.

It’s been three games since Arsenal scored from open play in the Premier League, with their last three goals coming from corners.

But the Gunners, inspired by Gabriel Jesus, found some form in the Carabao Cup in midweek. They travel to Selhurst Park for a second match agianst Crystal Palace in four days.

Crystal Palace win 4/1

Draw 23/10

Arsenal win 1/2

The Independent vets betting sites for useability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.

Mikel Arteta made eight changes to his starting line-up for the midweek clash with Crystal Palace but expect him to revert to a stonger line-up for this afternoon’s fixture with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard returning. Ben White (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss out with respective knee injuries and the match seems too soon for returns from Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori.

Crystal Palace have been dealt a major blow ahead of their revenge mission against Arsenal after key midfielder Eberechi Eze was ruled out.

England international Eze will sit out Saturday’s game at Selhurst Park after aggravating an existing foot injury against the Gunners during Wednesday evening’s 3-2 Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

Daniel Munoz is suspended and will miss the match with Nathaniel Clyne expected to return in his place. Joel Ward could also return from a calf problem but Adam Wharton, Matheus Franca, Rob Holding and Chadi Riad should all miss out again.

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal is due to kick off at 5.30pm GMT on Saturday, 21 December at Selhurst Park in London.

Where can I watch the match?

The match will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 5pm. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Crystal Palace host Arsenal at Selhurst Park in a repeat fixture from the Carabao Cup quarter-finals where the Gunners completed a fine comeback to triumph 3-2 on Wednesday evening.

Gabriel Jesus scored a second-half hat-trick following Jean-Philippe Mateta’s opener to send his team in the league cup final four despite a late consolation from ex-Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping for a similar result this afternoon as Arsenal look to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to just three points when they face Palace in Saturday’s late kick off.

For their part, Palace are four points clear of the relegation zone and hope to continue a fine run of league fixtures which has seen them go unbeaten for the last five games.