Crystal Palace will be without key midfielder Eberechi Eze for their Premier League showdown against Arsenal on Saturday. The England international aggravated an existing foot injury during Palace’s 3-2 League Cup defeat to the Gunners on Wednesday and will not feature in the home game at Selhurst Park. Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed Eze’s absence during a Friday press conference, explaining that the 26-year-old has been managing foot pain since last weekend’s win against Brighton.
“He got a hit against Brighton on his foot. He played with quite a swollen foot at the Emirates and also got the next kick there,” Glasner said. “It doesn’t look serious, but it’s painful, and he isn’t 100 percent.”
The midfielder is expected to return for Palace’s match against Bournemouth, with Glasner emphasizing the importance of Eze being fully fit to perform at his best.
Crystal Palace’s Recent Form
Palace, currently unbeaten in their last five league games, will look to maintain momentum despite Eze’s absence. Key results during this run include victories over Ipswich and Brighton and hard-fought draws with Aston Villa, Newcastle, and Manchester City.
Recent Premier League Standings for Crystal Palace:
- Position: 15th
- Points: 20
- Form: WDDDW
Festive Fixture Challenges
With three games in six days, the Christmas schedule poses a significant test for Glasner’s side. However, Palace’s relatively lighter fixture load after December 29th offers a chance for players like Eze to recover fully.
“For me, the busiest part of Christmas is this week,” Glasner noted. “We’ll go for getting a better result than two days ago at the Emirates.”
The Eagles face a tough task against an in-form Arsenal but will aim to continue their climb away from the relegation zone. Glasner’s priority remains ensuring his squad is healthy and ready for the hectic New Year program, with Eze’s return critical to maintaining Palace’s upward trajectory.
