Arsenal predicted line-up vs. Crystal Palace: Three major changes made as £45m man returns to starting XI

Saturday's lunchtime kick-off against Crystal Palace represents something of a must-win fixture for Arsenal. The Gunners have recorded just one victory in their past five Premier League outings, and that barren run, coupled with an FA Cup exit at the hands of Liverpool, has significantly dampened the mood in North London in recent weeks.

Mikel Arteta's men current sit fourth in the top flight table, five points adrift of leaders Liverpool, and will be acutely aware of the need to pick up a win this weekend as they look to maintain a buffer between themselves and bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

For their part, Palace have also dropped points in four of their last five league matches, but did return to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Brentford in their most recent Premier League outing all the way back on December 30th. The Eagles are currently 14th in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone.

But how will both sides line-up at the Emirates this weekend? We've taken a look at their latest team news and predicted starting XIs below...

Arsenal Team News

Arsenal have been away on a warm weather training trip to Dubai of late, and will be relieved to have welcomed Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus back into the first team fold during that Middle Eastern sojourn. The forward had been battling a knee problem, but is seemingly back at full fitness.

There had been similar optimism surrounding Oleksandr Zinchenko, who missed the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool earlier this month, but it now appears that the Ukrainian is considerable doubt after suffering a setback in his recovery from a calf complaint. Fresh concerns have emerged over Jorginho too, with the midfielder notably absent from a recent training session.

Elsewhere, Fabio Vieira and Jurrien Timber are both ruled out having undergone surgery on groin and knee issues respectively, while Thomas Partey is not expected back until later this month. Mohamed Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both away on international duty as the African Cup of Nations and Asian Cup continue.

Arsenal Predicted XI

David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jakub Kiwior; Declan Rice, Kai Havertz; Martin Odegaard; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.

Crystal Palace Team News

For their part, Palace are also set to be without a smattering of key players this weekend. Midfield general Cheick Doucoure is not expected to feature again this season after snapping an Achilles tendon, while talismanic attacker Michael Olise is also ruled out after a recent thigh injury.

Saturday will likely come too soon for Joel Ward and Rob Holding, with the latter missing out on an opportunity to line up against his former club. Both are working towards comebacks later this month, as is precocious winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. The wide man has returned to first team training, as confirmed by manager Roy Hodgson earlier in the week.

Jordan Ayew is Palace's only other absence, with the attacker away at the African Cup of Nations.

Crystal Palace Predicted XI

Sam Johnstone; Nathaniel Clyne, Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen, Tyrick Mitchell; Jefferson Lerma, Chris Richards, Will Hughes; Eberechi Eze, Odsonne Edouard, Jeffrey Schlupp.