Crystal Palace boss Glasner hints at huge favor for Arsenal on final day of league 

It’s been a historic season for Crystal Palace who are set to make their first appearance in a European final at the end of the month. Their league form hasn’t been great, but they are in the clear when it comes to the relegation race. With a title on the line, Palace boss Oliver Glasner says he could be rotating his squad until the final on May 27th.

Did Pep’s plan backfire?

Palace had a mid week match against Manchester City on Wednesday, and despite Pep Guardiola making some changes to his squad, City still won 3-0 at the Etihad. While Pep’s guys are still in the running for the league, sitting just two points back of Arsenal, Guardiola might have had one eye on the FA Cup final against Chelsea coming this weekend.

Glasner wasn’t surprised by the changes that Guardiola made, knowing at this stage of the season there are difficult choices managers have to make while focusing on multiple competitions. When asked if he was surprised by the XI City started the match with, Glaser said, “No. We never know what the opposition is planning and Pep has the same topic: a final in three days.”

While the gamble paid off for Pep, who saw his guys ease past Palace on Friday, the move to rest some of his players for Saturday’s final against Chelsea might have planted an idea in Glasner’s head that won’t do City any favors. “It was maybe a legitimation to make a huge rotation against Arsenal and nobody has to ask me again,” said the Palace manager.

Finals coming up for Palace, City and Arsenal

Crystal Palace have two more matches in their league campaign before turning their attention to Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League final on May 27th. They play Brentford this weekend and then have a match against Arsenal on the final weekend of the season. If Arsenal win their remaining two matches they will be crowned Premier League champions for the first time in over two decades.

Arsenal also have a European final to worry about after the the Premier League season wraps up, but they won’t have the liberty to rest some of their players before their Champions League final against PSG. The Gunners host already relegated Burnley this weekend at the Emirates before taking on a Crystal Palace side that could see some of the regulars in the XI on the bench.

After their win over Palace on Wednesday, City are two points back of Arsenal with two matches to go. After their FA Cup final against Chelsea City will travel to Bournemouth before finishing off the season against Aston Villa. City know they need to win their final two league matches and get some help from either an already relegated club in Burnley or a Palace side that could be reserving their top stars for a European final.

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