It does not look like Oleksandr Zinchenko will be fit in time to face Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Ukrainian left-back, who has missed Arsenal’s last two games with a calf injury, has been training with the rest of the side in Dubai, but he is reportedly not progressing at a pace that would keep him from being an injury doubt on the weekend.
While the news with Zinchenko may not be good, the situation surrounding Gabriel Jesus is much more favorable.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace FYIs
Kickoff: Sat January 20, 12:30pm, Emirates Stadium, London, UK
Arsenal Preview Content: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Google Result Probability: Arsenal 74% Crystal Palace 9% Draw 17%
PL Form, Position: Crystal Palace WLDDL, 21 pts, 14th Arsenal LLDWL, 40 pts, 4th
Arsenal Team News
Jesus missed the FA Cup elimination at the hands of Liverpool, two weekends ago, due to a knee injury. However, he has been along on the warm weather training trip and has been participating in full.
Elsewhere Thomas Partey is moving closer towards a return, as his recovery from a thigh injury is going nicely, but this weekend will come too soon for that. Meanwhile Jurrien Timber is making progress on his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury, with a potential return coming in late spring.
Finally, Fabio Vieira is still out for awhile yet, as he continues recovering from groin surgery.
Arsenal-Crystal Palace Historical Connections
This London derby series has seen its share of players who wore both badges. The list includes Marouane Chamakh, who moved directly to Crystal Palace in 2013, right after his Arsenal stint.
You also have Arsenal club legend Ian Wright, who actually began his professional career at Crystal Palace.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.