Arsenal’s top four dreams are faint. Arsene Wenger is suffering from widespread criticism from an increasingly angry fan base and two of their star players are flirting with the idea of leaving the club this summer.

A Monday night game under the lights at a raucous Selhurst Park is the typical match that the Gunners would stutter in, now they face an in-form Sam Allardyce side determined to upset the odds.

Palace have leapt away from the risks of relegation, but could still be sucked back into the fight with a challenging fixture list. Allardyce has seen his side defend like we have come to expect from his teams, with Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke providing the offensive punch.

After a weekend of Premier League football without shock, the Eagles will be eyeing up a surprise victory. Arsenal, meanwhile, are in must-win territory and will be well aware that a slip up here could spell the end for their season.

Theo Walcott v Jeffrey Schlupp

Jeffrey Schlupp is renowned as an indifferent defender, despite his electric pace. Schlupp can be an asset offensively, but will meet one of the few players who can match his burst of acceleration in Theo Walcott.

Walcott has been a key threat for Arsenal this season, scoring on a regular basis. He will drift into the channel between Schlupp and the centre-back, which will be a real test of the often naïve former Leicester left-back.

In a simple foot race it will be a tight encounter, but it is the poor decision making and lack of positional discipline of Schlupp that is the real concern for Palace.

Christian Benteke v centre-backs

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Christian Benteke is the focal point of everything that Crystal Palace do in possession and will be the recipient of many aerial balls on Monday night.

With Laurent Koscielny unavailable, the rash, inconsistent Gabriel Paulista will line-up alongside Shkodran Mustafi at the heart of the Arsenal defence, giving the Eagles even greater hope of Benteke dominating.

If Arsenal are to avoid the most Arsenal of late season defeats, Mustafi and Gabriel must be at their absolute best to restrict Benteke’s influence. Wilfried Zaha will be lurking to feed off any scraps, too.

Mesut Ozil v Luka Milivojevic

Mesut Ozil has had a disappointing season and comes up against the formidable Luka Milivojevic.

The German’s creative genius will be crucial to any offensive success the Gunners have on Monday, with Palace likely to sit very deep and limit any possible space for Arsenal’s forwards, just as they did at Stamford Bridge.

Milivojevic has been as crucial as anyone in Palace’s revival, but will not face a task as tricky as the World Cup winning German.