There is new blood in both sides.

Crystal Palace have new midfielder Cheick Doucoure in from the start, while Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko both make their debut for Arsenal.

Full team news shortly.

Arsenal know only too well from 2021-22 just how damaging a dire start to the season can be.

The Gunners began last season with three straight losses before they finally got their act in gear and started amassing the points that dragged them up the table.

Palace also had a slow start last season, losing their opening game before winning just one of eight matches of what was, admittedly, a tough initial set of fixtures.

To be fair, they've not been handed the easiest of starts to this campaign either, with trips to Liverpool and Man City amongst their first four fixtures.

In contrast, Mikel Arteta's side have a set of early-season games from which could set them up to get off to a flier.

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace also ended last season on a high, beating Manchester United at Selhurst Park to conclude what was a pretty productive first campaign under Patrick Vieira.

Considering the upheaval of the summer before, rarely being in any danger of the drop while also developing a different, more expansive style of play was a big win.

Like the Gunners, though, expectations will be higher again this campaign. Both have to kick on from their respective finishes, which is what makes tonight so intriguing.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Back in May, we had the usual ups and downs as the Premier League season drew to a close. Man City were joyous, Liverpool deflated, Leeds were relieved and Burnley devastated.

Arsenal ended things on a bittersweet note, thumping Everton 5-1 to cap a season of so many positives but one which also saw them miss out to north London rivals Tottenham in the race for Champions League football.

Image source, Getty Images

It has been just ten and a bit short weeks since the end of the 2021-22 Premier League season, yet here we are again, setting off on another journey into the unknown.

What has felt like the shortest of summers sure managed to pack plenty in. We've had political chaos, the hottest of heatwaves, the Lionesses roaring like never before and Neighbours calling it time just to name a few things. We've also witnessed Premier League clubs do what they do best and spend ridiculous amounts of money to sign all manner of playing talent from across the globe to get ready for another nine months at the coal face.

That all starts tonight, with what promises to be a lively London derby from Selhurst Park.