Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 2.
Player analysis - Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka
Eze and Saka have fast become the go-to players for Crystal Palace and Arsenal respectively.
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In south London, Wilfried Zaha’s summer departure has left a creative hole in Roy Hodgson’s side that 25-year-old Eze is expected to fill.
His performance levels last season, producing 10 goals and four assists, showed he has the quality and temperament to handle that responsibility.
Saka, still only 21, also has remarkable mental strength, thriving as the most trusted member of Mikel Arteta’s attack.
When these two clubs meet at Selhurst Park on Monday night, both managers will construct game plans that centre around stopping and utilising these two special players.
Highest stats in Matchweek 1
| Most shots | Most key passes | Most fouled | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eberechi Eze | 8 | Eberechi Eze | 7 | Anthony Gordon | 7 |
| Odsonne Edouard | 7 | James Maddison | 6 | Eberechi Eze | 5 |
| Jarrod Bowen | 6 | Julian Alvarez | 6 | Joao Pedro | 5 |
| Matheus Cunha | 5 | Pascal Gross | 6 | Matheus Nunes | 5 |
| Pervis Estupinan | 6 | Kai Havertz | 4 | ||
In an opening weekend 1-0 success at Sheffield United, Eze was outstanding for the Eagles.
He regularly drifted infield from the left side of Palace’s attack, moving into spaces that made him elusive to mark.
From those positions, he influenced the match with a series of key passes, shots and dribbles that led to fouls.
No one during Matchweek 1 had more goal attempts or created a higher number of chances. Indeed, he became only the fourth player in Premier League history to have eight or more shots and create seven or more chances in a single match.
Several of those key passes came from Eze’s precise dead-ball deliveries.
Repeat tactics for Arsenal?
Arsenal used Thomas Partey as a right-back for their 2-1 win at home to Nottingham Forest, but in possession he took up positions in central midfield.
This transformed their shape to a 3-1-3-3, pushing Ben White into a wider area, where he combined well with Saka and Martin Odegaard.
If the Gunners dominate possession, we could witness a repeat of this ploy.
However, when you look at the positions Eze occupied last weekend, it may be considered risky to play in that manner.
On transitions, Eze’s skill and distribution could punish Arsenal if they leave themselves short on defensive numbers down that side.
It will be fascinating to see if Eze’s threat alters the way Arsenal approach this encounter from a tactical perspective.
How do Palace stop Saka?
Arsenal’s system of play on the opening weekend helped to open up regular avenues for defenders to pick out Saka with passes that left him 1v1 with Ola Aina.
By dragging Forest players infield, both Partey and White were able to consistently find the winger with passes into his feet from central positions.
Saka scored with a delightful curling finish from outside the box – a strike that turned out to be the winning goal - and created three chances for team-mates.
Having watched how easy it was to play passes into the feet of Saka, the astute Hodgson may come up with a plan that helps his players screen that service into him more effectively.
Tyrick Mitchell and Jeffrey Schlupp could end up marking him tightly from behind, and in front.
This will potentially free up a spare man for Arsenal to hurt Palace elsewhere, but plan A for Arteta will be to get Saka into the match as often as possible. The No 7 supplies the most consistent end product for them.
Eze and Saka are definitely the players to watch in this south v north London derby.
Also in this series
Part 2: How Emery can get Villa's balance right against Everton
Part 3: Maddison and Bissouma's energy will be key to beat Man Utd
Part 4: How Chilwell and Jackson typify spirit of Pochettino's Chelsea
