Eberechi Eze will not feature as Crystal Palace attempt to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to six games against Arsenal on Saturday (5.30pm GMT).
Eagles coach Oliver Glasner will rest Eze after sustaining a foot injury during Palace's 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, although the Austrian is hopeful the England international will be back for the trip to Bournemouth on December 26 (3pm).
“He took a knock against Brighton,” Glasner explained, adding that Eze “took the next blow” following the injury during Palace’s 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.
“It doesn't seem dangerous, but when you have to wear shoes, kick the ball and it's painful, it's not that free in terms of movement.”
W 🤝#CPFC pic.twitter.com/TyFUGUDIZG
– Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) December 20, 2024
Eberechi Eze's injuries
Eze missed trips to Wolves and Aston Villa's two-legged home leg against Fulham due to a hamstring injury in November.
The 26-year-old has not completed 90 minutes in five games since his return, although he did set up Jean-Philippe Mateta for the only goal of the game against Ipswich Town on December 3.
“When you're always in pain when you move, you think too much about that (injury) and you can't play the way you can play,” Glassner said.
“We need every player 100%, so it makes sense: we decided he should be rested and hopefully available for Bournemouth.
“We need the best that Eberechi Eze can be and therefore he must be as fit as all the other players. I expect Eberechi to be available for Bournemouth.
Weekend 🔜#CPFC pic.twitter.com/giRfHR0Kfk
– Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) December 20, 2024
Palace vs Arsenal
Palace took the lead at Arsenal for 49 minutes through Mateta's opener, but Gabriel Jesus's hat-trick in the 28th minute after the break made Eddie Nketiah's late response irrelevant.
“Confidence is when you go forward, not to wait, but to go forward and try to score the second goal,” Glasner said. “We scored the first goal and then got a negative result.
“Then we were 3-1 down – it looked like the game was over – and suddenly we played more attacking again and scored the second goal.
“Why don't we always play the same way? The same style, playing forward rather than cautious. But that's easy to say. I think everyone knows and respects the Arsenal team that plays at the Emirates Stadium.
“Sometimes you have confidence, but it creates a lot of pressure… You have to survive that pressure.”
