Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Premier League Pre-Match Report (26 October 2025)

Karun Abraham

Sports Journalist

Emirates Stadium is ready to for an EPL fixture as Arsenal is hosting Crystal Palace on 26th October 2025,  the fixture was shifted to accommodate Palace’s mid-week European schedule. Both teams are in it for a win as Arsenal has to hold its top spot and Palace is just about to beat Sunderland. Be at the Emirates for what should be an exciting Premier League fixture.

Recent Form & Stakes

Arsenal return to league duties with momentum from a strong start to autumn, and the table stakes are obvious: three points keep them on pace near the top as the schedule tightens. Palace, meanwhile, have been stubborn travellers under Oliver Glasner, and European rhythm can sharpen them, though it also compresses recovery and prep time between matches. 

Trends have been supporting Arsenal in winning that too with multiple goals, but this matchup is not so simple as it looks. Palace has been winning a lot this season and they have took points at times, particularly when they controlled transitions.

Team News & Availability

Arsenal

• Martin Ødegaard is sidelined with a left MCL injury and is not expected back until well into November, removing Arsenal’s chief chance-creator between the lines.
• Arteta still has depth: Though there are injuries holding the team a bit back, there are still talented players like  Rice who will anchor the midfield, Saka and  Martinelli will make the Brighton defenders sweat, and the rotating nine-squad like Havertz means even more flexibility in terms of options.
• The full-backs White or Tomiyasu mean the whole board is almost set for an Arsenal win.

Crystal Palace

• Palace’s squad has been juggling knocks across the front line this month, and selection may be shaped by who featured heavily in Europe a few days earlier. Expect late fitness calls around key starters, with Eberechi Eze central to their ball-carrying threat when available.
• Glasner’s centre-back pool and wing-back choices dictate whether Palace sit in a back three or four; Marc Guéhi’s leadership remains pivotal either way.

Tactical Outlook

Arsenal will aim to dominate territory with a high defensive line, quick regains, and width-to-half-space patterns: overload wide channels, then slip runners into the inside lanes. Without Ødegaard, they’ve leaned more on rotation and late midfield arrivals rather than constant central orchestration. The Gunners will try every trick to give Saka open space, and most probably it will be the second half where Arsenal will begin their corner tactics.

Crystal Palace will most probably sit in a compact mid-block, and use the bait and counter tactic and spring Eze for the shots, their best moments will be decided by how quick they are and if they get any set pieces to play. If the Eagles can win first contacts on clearances and get runners beyond the ball, they can trouble Arsenal’s rest-defence.

Key Battles

• Bukayo Saka vs Palace left side – Saka’s 1v1 craft and cut-back threat against a rotating cast tasked with doubling up.
• Declan Rice vs Palace’s pivot – if Rice dictates tempo and traps second balls, Arsenal sustain pressure.
• Arsenal CBs vs Palace counter – handling direct balls into channels and late runners off the striker.
• Set pieces – Palace’s aerial threat vs Arsenal’s improved structure on defensive dead balls.

Prediction

Palace have enough organisation and transitional danger to make this competitive, but Arsenal’s control, width, and bench options should tell over 90 minutes. Be part of this exciting EPL fixture and book your Arsenal vs Crystal Palace tickets via 1BoxOffice for the best deals possible. So what are you waiting for? Book Now!

Predicted Score: Arsenal 2–0 Crystal Palace.