27 March 2022, 22:00
FA Cup semi-finalists Crystal Palace are the latest team to stand in Arsenal's way on route to their coveted top four finish. While this may be another game Mikel Arteta's young side will be expected to win, they come up against a club that has now established itself as a serious Premier League force and is managed by one of their own club legends.
Will Gunners legend Vieira come back to haunt them?
Widely regarded as one of the Premier League's greatest midfielders and a fierce competitor, Patrick Vieira captained the Arsenal side during their famous 'Invincibles' season in 2003-04. Still loved by many fans at the club, he himself is surely privately hoping his old club can secure fourth spot this season and return to the place he'll feel they belong, among Europe's elite.
As a consummate professional, though, he'll also want to get one over on them and ensure Palace are perhaps the only side to beat Arsenal in their run-in. He knows the Gunners have a comfortable points cushion to nearest rivals Manchester United with a game in hand, meaning they can afford to lose at least once - so any Arsenal fans hoping his team may go easy on them here could be left disappointed.
Youngsters showing no signs of pressure yet
In their last game against Aston Villa we continued to see Arsenal's young side flourish, with Bukayo Saka getting the decisive goal in a 1-0 win. This was his ninth goal of the season, many of which have been pivotal to Arsenal's top four challenge and show a glimpse of someone who could be a top England player for many more years to come.
This young crop of current Arsenal stars now have the chance to show off their talents to one of the club's best watching from the opposing dugout. Could this be the game in which pressure starts to show for these eager players, with a top four spot now within real touching distance? Based on the evidence seen so far, you wouldn't confidently bet on it. Jump to top