Arsenal handed a major injury blow ahead of Friday Crystal Palace PL clash

 

Arsenal may be missing a number of key players for their 2022/23 Premier League opener against Crystal Palace.

The Gunners have a lot riding on this game after losing in Croydon at the end of last season when Patrick Vieira’s side put three past Mikel Arteta’s side without reply.

This time, however, the north Londoners appear to be in a better position on the field to right the wrongs that occurred at Selhurst Park in 2021/22.

Arteta’s team has been in fantastic form in pre-season, winning big games against Chelsea and, most recently, Sevilla in the Emirates Cup.

The five new recruits that Edu has brought in for the Spaniard have provided much needed hope to the fanbase, which is still reeling from the fact that Tottenham beat them to the top four last season.

Palace will undoubtedly be wary of the Brazilian, but Vieira’s side will be aware that, despite being heavy favourites to win the game on Friday night, there are a few injury concerns that could tip the scales in their favor.

This is due to the fact that a number of players, including Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kierney Tierney, and Fabio Vieira, are questionable for the start of the season due to various injuries.

Worryingly for Arsenal, you can now add Hale End academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe to the list of absentees, as the 21-year-old is reportedly still nursing a ‘groin’ injury ahead of the season opener and has thus been deemed ‘unfit’ to travel.

This is according to PA Sport’s Mark Mann-Bryans who tweeted: “Emile Smith Rowe not fit for the start of the new Premier League season. Groin injury keeps him out but is due back in full training at some stage next week.”