Arsenal recommences their Premier League (PL) campaign this weekend safe in the knowledge that they enjoy an excellent record as a home favorite since the beginning of last season (W16, D3, L1). Ironically, they are unbeaten in PL home games since April, when last facing Crystal Palace.
Unai Emery’s team knows the importance of the first goal as they’re unbeaten in all four PL fixtures when opening the scoring (W3, D1). Yet while they’ve only conceded one second-half goal in PL encounters this season, they’ve actually been losing five times at half-time – the joint-highest tally in the league after nine rounds.
Crystal Palace travel optimistically knowing they defeated four top-half teams last season, including champions Man City, whilst this season they’ve already won at Man Utd. Scoring goals is the key to their success as they’ve only kept three clean sheets across their previous 20 PL away fixtures.