Roy Hodgson is facing a defensive crisis unlike one he has every experienced in his storied managerial career.
The Crystal Palace manager could be without up to 11 senior players through injury and suspension when Arsenal visit Selhurst Park on Saturday. Hodgson has admitted concerns at being able to field a 'valid' starting XI.
With an injury list already longer then most of their Premier League rivals, Hodgson lost both Max Meyer and Jario Riedewald to injury in the FA Cup defeat to Derby on Sunday while captain Luka Milivojevic was shown a straight red card meaning he is suspended for their next three League games. Palace have appealed the red card shown by Michael Oliver.
Both Meyer and Riedewald had been fringe players earlier in the season, covering for players already lost to injury meaning Hodgson is going to have to be even more inventive when picking his side.
Cheikhou Kouyate has covered at centre-back this season but with all three options for left-back now in the treatment room the former West Ham man may be shifted to full-back as cover this weekend.
The crisis could also see an olive branch handed to Victor Camarasa, who has played just five minutes in the Premier League under Hodgson since his loan move over the summer, to come into the midfield three.
How we expect Crystal Palace to line-up...
Crystal Palace XI vs Arsenal: (4-3-3) Guaita; Kelly, Cahill, Tomkins, Kouyate; McArthur, McCarthy, Camarasa; Ayew, Wickham, Zaha
