Arsenal will be hoping to take a significant step towards a return to the Champions League when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday night. The Gunners currently occupying fourth place in the Premier League standings going into the contest and could well move even closer to a place back at Europe’s top table with three points.
Their task is not set to be easy though, with Palace having impressed under former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira this season. The Eagles sit 12th in the current table but are considerably clear of the relegation battle, so will represent quite a challenge to the Gunners as they aim to claim what could be a pivotal victory in the race for the top four.
Whilst Mikel Arteta’s immediate targets are clear, one added benefit that Arsenal could gain from their trip across the capital is the chance to take a close look at one of their potential summer transfer targets - Michael Olise. Having only joined Palace at the start of the season from Reading, the young Frenchman has caught the eye.
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The 20-year-old has made 27 appearances for the Eagles so far this season, scoring four goals and notching nine assists. He has played a pivotal role in the club’s run to the FA Cup semi-finals with five goal contributions in just four appearances.
Whilst it is still early days in his career in the Premier League, Olise appears to be attracting interest from elsewhere - particularly at the Emirates Stadium. Reports have suggested that the Gunners are keeping an eye on his development ahead of a potential move. Chelsea, Everton, Lille and Bayern Munich have also been suggested as being admirers of the young winger. In fact, former Premier League forward Darren Bent has backed him to seal a move to north London.
Speaking earlier this month, the former Spurs man said: “He is certainly the type of player Mikel Arteta will like. We know he likes young players and this kid has really impressed me. For large spells I thought it was just all about Wilfried Zaha and [Eberechi] Eze but at the moment he has himself into the team and been sensational.
“He can go past people, he has a nice range of passing, he can score a goal and his final delivery has been lovely. I think he is a top player. It makes sense – if you look at what Mikel Arteta has done in the transfer market at the start of the season, all the players were 24 or younger. He [Olise] fits that kind of mould.”
So whilst Arsenal have been tipped to be interested in Olise, they could potentially be set to complete a scouting mission at Selhurst Park - but that depends on the winger’s availability. Whilst on international duty with France’s U21 side, he was forced to return to his club after suffering an ‘inflammation’ in his left foot.
So whilst he might be one of the main threats to Arsenal’s hopes of securing victory this weekend, the Gunners might actually be secretly hoping that he is fit.
