Sports

Matchday Preview: Arsenal Visit Crystal Palace, Sevilla Travel To Alaves, AC Milan Opens Season At Bologna

English Premier League's gameweek two sees Arsenal head to London rivals, Crystal Palace for a game between two teams looking for a second straight Premier League victory.

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Arsenals Eddie Nketiah (left) celebrates with Bukayo Saka.
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English Premier League's gameweek two sees Arsenal head to London rivals, Crystal Palace for a game between two teams looking for a second straight Premier League victory. (More Football news)

The Gunners kicked-off their openin PL campaign with a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. However, the injury to new arrival Jurrien Timber, who has sustained a long-term injury, has hampered the momentum. 

New goalkeeper David Raya might start on the bench whereas Palace boss Roy Hodgson will be delighted to see Michael Olise staying put and sign a new four-year deal after Chelsea had seemed to sign the French attacker.

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The Gunners will hope their Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Zinchenko can come in right away after Timber's injury. 

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson would look to change his winless record against the Arsenal boss as the Englishman's record is not good, drawing two and losing two while in charge of Watford and Palace.

As for the La Liga, Sevilla looks to rebound from its loss to Manchester City in the UEFA Super Cup final when it visits Alaves. 

Both Sevilla and Alaves opened with defeats last weekend — Sevilla at home against Valencia and Alaves at Cadiz. Alaves, back in the first division after a year in the second tier, is winless against Sevilla in its last nine league matches against the rival. 

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As for the Europa League champions, Sevilla haven't won in its last five league games going back to last season, with two draws and three losses. 

Granada looks to bounce back from its opening loss at Atletico Madrid when it hosts Rayo Vallecano, which won at Almeria in the competition’s first game last weekend. Rayo is unbeaten in its last seven league matches against Granada.

In the Serie A, a new look AC Milan will open its account at Bologna. The Rossoneri have had a busy transfer window this season, bringing in six new players including United States standout Christian Pulisic. 

Milan won the league in 2022 but finished fourth last season. Also, Claudio Ranieri is back in Serie A and his Cagliari side visits Torino in its first match back in the top flight. 

The 71-year-old Ranieri, who is back at the club that effectively launched his managerial career more than 30 years earlier, achieved another seemingly improbable feat as he steered Cagliari to promotion via the playoffs last season.
(With AP inputs)

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