HELLO
Welcome to our live coverage of Crystal Palace’s home game with Arsenal in the Premier League.
Fans finally return to Selhurst Park this evening, and their timing could not be better as English football prepares to say goodbye to a legend.
This man has served the game with grace and dignity for the many years in which he has provided his clubs with stability and moments to treasure. He has earned our respect and done it all with a smile on his face.
Anyway, that’s enough about David Luiz’s contract not being renewed by Arsenal, Roy Hodgson is on his way out of Palace.
The Eagles boss takes charge on home soil one final time after almost four years in charge, and will be desperate to bow out with a win.
With their top-flight status secured, the South London club played without pressure as they turned over Aston Villa on Sunday, and Hodgson and 6,500 home supporters will be anticipating a similar display.
However, Palace have today been rocked by the revelation that Eberechi Eze – so often their bright spark in his first season at Selhurst – has suffered an Achilles injury, and is set for a lengthy period on the sidelines.
It’s a huge blow for whoever is named as Hodgson’s successor with the new boss already facing a tough task of putting together a new-look side with so many of the current squad out of contract.
In the opposite dugout this evening, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is also plotting to finish a disappointing campaign on a high.
The Gunners are looking to chalk up a fourth consecutive Premier League win for the first time in two-and-a-half years, and they haven’t conceded a goal away from home since the middle of March.
While fans of the North Londoners are facing up to the very real prospect of no European football for the first time in a quarter of a century, there is still a slim chance of finishing above rivals Tottenham – and while that remains the case, there is always something for Arsenal to play for.
The aforementioned David Luiz is injured – having most likely played in his final game for the club – but there is a belief that Granit Xhaka and Hector Bellerin will win their battles for fitness.
We’ll have confirmation of tonight’s teams shortly ahead of this London derby’s 7pm kick-off.
