Arsenal step into Sunday’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace with the wind at their backs and a fierce rhythm in their play. Under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have strung together six straight wins across all fronts, conceding just a single goal. Their defense stands like a wall, their attack hums like a symphony, and everything seems to be clicking. Yet, amid the harmony, a controversial suggestion has stirred debate — that Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s golden boy, should be benched for someone more selfless to unleash Viktor Gyökeres’ full potential.
This bold idea stems from the notion that Saka’s flair-driven, soloist style may be overshadowing Gyökeres’ rhythm. The Swedish forward, who recently broke a nine-match goal drought with two brilliant strikes against Atletico Madrid, reportedly thrives when paired with a team-minded partner who plays for the collective rather than individual glory. Some voices inside Arsenal believe that if Arteta starts such a player alongside him, Gyökeres could finally bag his long-awaited first hat-trick in Arsenal colors.
Those whispers gained traction after Arsenal’s 4–0 annihilation of Atletico Madrid in the Champions League — a performance that exuded precision and power. Gyökeres led the charge with relentless pressing, sharp link-ups, and razor-sharp movement, while Gabriel Magalhães commanded the back line like a general. The win didn’t just boost confidence; it announced Arsenal’s readiness to battle for glory both at home and in Europe.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace approach the game on weary legs. After facing AEK Larnaca in the Conference League just two and a half days earlier, Oliver Glasner’s men barely have time to breathe, let alone prepare. Arsenal, by contrast, have enjoyed four restful days of focused training. That scheduling gap alone tilts the odds heavily toward the Gunners, who will host a Palace side already stretched thin by fatigue.
Palace’s domestic form offers little comfort either. Despite flashes of creativity from Eberechi Eze and Odsonne Édouard, their inconsistency has been glaring. A 3–3 draw with Bournemouth exposed their defensive vulnerabilities and their habit of throwing away leads — weaknesses Arsenal’s sharp attack will be quick to exploit. Glasner’s reluctance to rotate his squad could also prove costly against a team known for its relentless pressing and pace.
Right now, Arsenal look like a team possessed. Declan Rice commands the midfield like a conductor guiding an orchestra, while Martin Ødegaard pulls the creative strings. But even amid this dominance, debate brews around Saka’s place. Some analysts argue that his direct style, while dazzling, occasionally clogs Arsenal’s flow. A more cooperative winger — someone like Trossard, who thrives on one-touch exchanges and positional discipline — could unlock Gyökeres’ finishing instincts and bring a new layer of cohesion to the front line.
Arteta’s tactical adaptability might determine the game’s outcome. He’s known for mixing roles and rotating wide forwards like chess pieces. Deploying Trossard instead of Saka could create a more balanced triangle up front — less reliant on dribbles, more focused on space and synergy. Such a move could give Gyökeres the breathing room to find his rhythm and deliver the clinical display fans have been dreaming of since his arrival.
Beyond the tactics, there’s pride and purpose at stake. Arsenal want more than just another win — they crave vindication. The memory of last season’s 2–2 draw against Palace still stings, a symbol of missed chances and defensive lapses. A dominant performance this time would stretch their winning run to seven and reinforce their image as true title contenders. Palace, however, limp into this clash drained and predictable, making them easy prey if Arsenal strike early. Should Arteta dare to drop Saka and trust chemistry over celebrity, the move might just spark something spectacular — perhaps even Gyökeres’ long-awaited hat-trick, a statement that Arsenal’s new era has fully arrived.
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