Arsenal go into Sunday’s match against a resurgent Crystal Palace hoping to take the three points that will see them return to the top of the Premier League.
With leaders Manchester City not playing their match against third place Chelsea until Monday, Arsene Wenger’s men have the opportunity to take back first place, which they surrendered by dropping two points against Southampton in midweek.
The Gunners go into the game without a number of key midfielders, with Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey injured and Mathieu Flamini suspended.
Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby are long term absentees, though Tomas Rosicky may return after recovering from a broken nose.
Meanwhile, the club are close to agreeing a loan deal for Spartak Moscow midfielder Kim Kallstrom, according to the Mail Online.
A move has been made for the 31 year old after Arsene Wenger all but admitted defeat in his pursuit of Schalke’s Julian Draxler.
Kallstrom, who has made over 450 club appearances in his career so far, moved to the Russian Premier League in 2012 after six successful seasons with Lyon, where he won two league titles and two French cups.
Internationally, he has 108 caps for Sweden, scoring sixteen goals.