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30 bland, uneventful minutes have trudged by. The theme of the this half so far: square ball.

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The first shot on goal comes from palace as Yannick Bolasie curls an effort into the midriff of the diving Petr Cech. 

Arsenal respond by going straight down the other end to win a corner, which Mile Jedinak finally clears with two headers and a massive hoof up-field.

Replays show that Damien Delaney was giving Laurent Koscielny an almighty bear-hug during the last Arsenal corner. On an afternoon where penalties (both given and not given) have been high on the list of topics, that is another to add to the list.

Yohan Cabaye has to be sharp in the box to flick the ball away from Alex Iwobi. It results in a corner, which Palace are able to head away. Arsenal have had 85% possession but zero shots on goal.

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Mohamed Elneny's long-range shot deflects over for an Arsenal corner. Ozil's delivery is headed down by Alex Iwobi but hammered away by Connor Wickham. It is all pretty tame stuff at the moment. Arsenal not doing enough to hurt Palace and the visitors more than content to dig in, in numbers.

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Palace win a corner as Bolasie's cross from the right is knocked behind by Francis Coquelin. Petr Cech punches the original delivery clear before the ball is swung in from the opposite side and headed wide by Scott Dann. 

Arsenal are giving the Palace players no time on the ball. The away side look to break quickly but Yannick Bolasie's control lets him down and the ball dribbles out of play.

Arsenal have had nearly 90% of possession so far. The pace is slow, though, making it easier for Palace to organize themselves at the back to repel attacks. Mesut Ozil has chance to shoot but declines and plays the ball wide for a Hector Bellerin cross that Wayne Hennessey plucks out of the air.

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Arsenal doing what Arsenal do. Lots of possession near the edge of the opposition half before a misplaced pass ends the attack. Francis Coquelin's pass goes out for a goal-kick.

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Arsenal do a little early probing of their own; Mesut Ozil whips a terrific ball in towards Danny Welbeck, who cannot control it on the edge of the penalty area. The ball runs through to Wayne Hennessey. The sunshine is now streaming down.

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Alan Pardew has called for Connor Wickham to put in some substantial work this afternoon. The Palace striker responds by winning an early free-kick. It's a chance to put some early pressure on the Arsenal defence; the visitors enjoy a good deal of possession around the edge of the penalty area, without causing any threat to Petr Cech's goal.

John Hartson
Former Arsenal striker on BBC Radio 5 live

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"Palace are seven points clear of Norwich, who are fourth from bottom. Alan Pardew will feel they need another point or two. They can certainly have an eye on next weekend's semi-final without throwing this game away. They need to be competitive, but they can have an eye on the semi-final. Norwich, Sunderland and Newcastle will have to go some to get to 38 points."  

Off we go. Arsenal are in red with white sleeves, Palace in white with blue shorts.

It's an overcast day at the Emirates Stadium, although as I type, a little sunshine starts to poke through. The players are emerging from the tunnel. Kick off is about five minutes away. There's full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 live if you want to listen live: Click the 'Live coverage' tab just above this entry.

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Palace boss Alan Pardew, meanwhile, has been explaining his reasons for selecting Connor Wickham in attack ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor today. Wickham, who has struggled with injuries for a significant chunk of the season, makes his first start in more than a month.

"I want him to have a chance of playing in the FA Cup semi-final," says Pardew, who suggests that we may see Adebayor later in the game. "I think Ade is more up to speed. Connor needs to play 60 minutes, and I don’t see him playing longer than that. He has to retain the ball for us today."

Here is Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on his reasons for changing his goalkeeper today: 

"Petr Cech is our number one keeper and he is fit again. David Ospina has done very well and it is a very tough choice. Petr is completely ready to start."

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There are two changes to the Palace side who drew 0-0 with Everton on Wednesday; Connor Wickham starts up front, with former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor relegated to the bench, while Joe Ledley comes in for Wilfried Zaha, who is not 100% fit and so is also among the substitutes.

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Let's get you some team news. Petr Cech is recalled in goal for Arsenal, having recovered fully from the calf injury that has kept him out for the last month. Cech was fit enough to be on the bench at West Ham last weekend, but David Ospina hardly covered himself in glory that day; so perhaps the switch should not come as a surprise. It is the only change that Arsene Wenger has made.

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A heck of a finish at the King Power Stadium, by the way. Leicester have come back right at the end to save a point with what looked a bit of a soft penalty. Leo Ulloa stepped up to take it, sending the keeper the wrong way, and it has finished 2-2. Leicester are eight points clear at the top; Tottenham can cut that gap to five by winning at Stoke tomorrow night.

Liverpool have won 2-1 at Bournemouth in the other early kick-off. Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge scored for Jurgen Klopp's side 

Palace may have been poor in the league, but they have been terrific in the FA Cup this season - and have a semi-final against Watford at Wembley to look forward to next Sunday. 

Pardew has made clear in this morning's papers that he will not take any slacking in the build-up. "I expect to see players fighting to play in the semi-final," he said. "Those are the players I am going to pick."