Arsenal are set to travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Monday night, as the Gunners look to make it two wins from two in the Premier League.
Many are now expecting Arsenal to challenge for the Premier League title, having come so close last season and added the likes of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz to the squad.
Having beaten Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend, Mikel Arteta will be keen to pick up another early three points as his side face Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace.
Whilst Arsenal are favourites for the game, there will be some nervousness amongst the Gunners’ fans for a number of reasons.
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Arsenal’s Monday night away curse
Arsenal’s record on Monday night away Premier League games under Arteta is far from promising when looking ahead to the Palace game.
Arteta has managed four away Monday night Premier League matches. Arsenal have lost all four, as per Orbinho.
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Arsenal have lost to Liverpool, Everton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle on Monday nights in recent years, and also drew 2-2 with Palace at the Emirates on a Monday night two seasons ago.
We’re not sure why Arsenal fail to deliver on Monday Night Football, but this is a curse that can hopefully be brought to an end.
Recovery in form
Arsenal ended last season badly, and whilst some time has passed since, with the team taking on a very different look now, there may be some concerns that the poor form could continue into the new campaign.
Arsenal won just one of their last five away games to finish last season, with defeats at Nottingham Forest, and Manchester City, as well as draws at Liverpool and West Ham, helping derail the side’s title challenge.
A win against Palace would go a long way to restoring the team’s confidence away from the Emirates, which saw a number of excellent wins on the road last season.
Tough destination
Arsenal haven’t had too much luck at Crystal Palace over the years, winning just two of their last five visits to Selhurst Park.
A 3-0 defeat in April 2022 was the worst of them all, but a 2-0 victory at the beginning of last season helped set Arsenal up for a strong start to their title challenge.
A repeat of last season’s result, and not the one prior to that, is what Arteta and his side will be aiming for on Monday evening.