Arsenal aim to regain control in Champions League race on Selhurst visit

After Tottenham’s 5-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal will be aiming to wrestle back the advantage in the race for Champions League football when visiting Crystal Palace on Monday night.

They will be facing up against their former midfielder, Patrick Vieria, who has impressed this season in his first Premier League campaign with the Eagles.

Palace’s record in London derbies will worry the Frenchman though, the 3-0 win over Tottenham at Selhurst Park in September was their first win in 17 such matches. Spurs themselves will be hoping Palace can help their bid for a Champions League spot as the south Londoners aim to beat Arsenal and Tottenham in the same campaign for the first time.

The feeling around Arsenal is one of positivity and Mikel Arteta understands the importance of togetherness in his team during the run-in towards the end of the Premier League.

“For me it’s crucial because it’s the platform and the cement that you can build on,” the manager said.

“Then obviously you need the players, you need the quality, the understanding. You need the club and the supporters to be on board with what you are doing, to support it, encourage it. This is what we try to do.”

In the reverse fixture between the two teams, an Alexandre Lacazette equaliser in 95th minute rescued a point for the Gunners after Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard had cancelled out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s opener.

Vieira spoke this week about how his side is different from that encounter and the lessons they have since learned.

“I think the game we played over there we played with personality and we tried to dictate the tempo of the game. Of course, we knew it would be tough and difficult. But what we can take from that was those crucial moments we have to manage well.

“The game is never finished until the referee’s whistle. It’s about the concentration we have to have, especially against those kind of teams. We know from when we start to today we’re in a different place but there are still some things we need to improve.”

The hosts will have to snap a five-game winless run in the Premier League at Selhurst Park, with the Eagles failing to win in 2022. They have been successful on three outings at home in the FA Cup, winning by an aggregate of 8-1, but Vieria must ensure his men stay focused on the immediate task in hand with Wembley looming later this month.

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