Crystal Palace are set to roll out the red carpet for the new Premier League champions on Sunday afternoon, with Arsenal expected to receive a guard of honour as they walk out at Selhurst Park. It will mark the Gunners’ first outing since clinching the title on Tuesday night, but the focus has already shifted firmly towards next Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final against PSG in Budapest.
With the biggest game of the season looming, Mikel Arteta is widely anticipated to make wholesale changes to his side. Football.london reporters Tom Canton and Ryan Taylor have both delivered their predicted line-ups for the trip to south London, reflecting a shared belief that squad rotation and player protection must take priority.
Tom Canton’s Arsenal XI
Tom Canton believes this is one of the most unusual games of the campaign in terms of team selection. His priority is clear: protect the key players destined for the Champions League final while giving valuable minutes to those who need them.
“I would completely avoid using anyone involved in next week’s UEFA Champions League final, with the exception of Cristhian Mosquera, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and potentially Piero Hincapie,” Canton explained.
Mosquera is expected to start at right-back in the final due to the absences of Ben White and Jurrien Timber, making this fixture an ideal opportunity for him to gain further experience in the position. Lewis-Skelly and Hincapie are set to anchor the left side of defence, while exciting academy talent Marcell Washington was considered but ultimately overlooked as he has not been training with the senior squad.
In midfield, Mikel Merino earns an important start alongside Christian Norgaard, who is set for his first Premier League appearance of the season. Youngsters Max Dowman and Marli Salmon also feature, with goalkeeper Tommy Setford handed a league debut between the posts.
Up front, the backup forward line of Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli will lead the attack.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Crystal Palace: Setford; Mosquera, Salmon, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Dowman; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli.
Ryan Taylor’s Arsenal XI
Ryan Taylor takes an even more cautious approach, insisting Arteta must take zero risks with his star players.
“If I could name Win the dog and Gunnersaurus up top I definitely would,” Taylor quipped. “This is a game where Mikel Arteta must take no risks. It is just not worth the bad feeling that would follow if he was to pick up an injury ahead of the Champions League final.”
Taylor has also opted for a complete overhaul of the starting eleven. Kepa Arrizabalaga gets the nod in goal, while Marli Salmon and Christian Norgaard are handed opportunities, with the latter possibly making his final appearance in an Arsenal shirt.
Piero Hincapie is selected at centre-back, with Myles Lewis-Skelly shifting to left-back. Mikel Merino starts despite the short turnaround, joined by Max Dowman and Kai Havertz in a makeshift midfield. Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli will provide width, with Gabriel Jesus leading the line.
Taylor’s Arsenal XI vs Crystal Palace: Kepa; Salmon, Norgaard, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Merino, Dowman, Havertz; Madueke, Martinelli, Jesus.
Both journalists agree that while it would be nice to sign off the league season in style, the result at Selhurst Park is secondary. Palace themselves are preparing for a European final on Wednesday, suggesting the contest could be played at a relatively low tempo.
The consensus is clear: rest the legs, protect the stars, and focus everything on the ultimate prize in Budapest next weekend.