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Football London
Football London
Sport
Louie Chandler

'Love this' - Arsenal fans praise brave Mikel Arteta decision as Pepe starts vs Crystal Palace

Arsenal take on Crystal Palace at the Emirates tonight as Mikel Arteta looks to extend the Gunners' unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Wins against Norwich, Burnley and Tottenham, and a draw with Brighton, saw the north Londoners into the most recent international break and the home crowd will be hoping that form has not dipped.

However, a win tonight would mean getting one over on an Arsenal legend as Patrick Vieira continues his latest managerial project with the Eagles.

Following the Frenchman's appointment, Palace were made a popular tip for relegation but with seven matches played they occupy 14th place, four points clear of the drop zone and they could even leapfrog the Gunners with a win on Monday night.

But as much as Vieira is adored at Arsenal, the last things his former supporters will want to see is him beaming in his post-match interview having picked up three points.

As it often does, Arteta's chosen starting XI caused a stir on social media with a very attack-minded starting XI from the Spaniard, while on the opposite side Palace started without talisman Wilfried Zaha.

Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard have been selected to start in midfield, with Albert Sambi Lokonga dropping to the bench, while Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all start as well.

Here is the best of what Arsenal fans had to say on Arteta's line-up.

@Auba_zette said: "Team selection looks spot on tbh."

@TBowdery27 said: "Big fan of this line up. Especially given how the past few meetings with Palace have gone."

@slowmo_sports said: "Love this lineup! Now let’s grab all 3 points!"

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