Arsenal's Premier League London derby with Crystal Palace on Wednesday night has "pre-season vibes" written all over it, but Mikel Arteta will be desperate for a victory, Gunners expert Charles Watts has claimed.
The Gunners welcome the Eagles to their Emirates home in midweek knowing that defeat will officially hand Liverpool the title, as they sit 13 points adrift of the Reds in the Premier League table with just five games left to play.
Arteta's men are sitting pretty in second place, though, extending their lead over the chasing pack thanks to Sunday's 4-0 drubbing of Ipswich Town, and a couple more victories should all but guarantee a silver medal.
While the imminent Champions League semi-final with Paris Saint-Germain is Arsenal's utmost priority, Watts has refused to downplay the importance of Wednesday's game in a Premier League sense, telling Sports Mole: "It's a must win just for wrapping up second place.
Arsenal "building momentum" at "perfect time" of season
"If Arsenal win this one, they'll be eight points clear, and then you can really start to relax for those last handful of games. But you want momentum as well going into PSG game. Arsenal have got that at the moment.
"It feels like the momentum is building, certainly from the first leg against Real Madrid. Yes, there was the slip up in the league in between, but then going to Madrid, winning there, winning so handsomely against Ipswich, it just feels like there's some momentum and confidence building right at the perfect time of the season.
"You don't want to stop that with a disappointing draw against Crystal Palace tomorrow night. Mikel will want to win, no doubt about that. He wants that second place secured quickly as possible as well. So it's definitely an important game for Arsenal."
As Arsenal search for a third win on the bounce, Crystal Palace are out to end a three-game winless run of their own, having shipped five away from home to Manchester City and Newcastle United before the weekend's goalless draw with Bournemouth.
The Eagles and the Gunners have already played out two engrossing encounters this season, a 3-2 EFL Cup win for Arsenal followed by a 5-1 Premier League victory for Arteta's side just a few days later in December.
Watts: 'Arsenal-Palace giving pre-season vibes'
© Imago
However, Watts has warned fans to expect a more tepid affair on Wednesday night, although he has not entirely ruled out the prospect of a goal-laden spectacular, adding: "It's got low-key written all over it because of what's going on in the league at the moment. Arsenal's priorities, even the fans' priorities.
"I'm not imagining a very fiery atmosphere at the Emirates. I'd be surprised. Sometimes those games can lead to free scoring matches the pressures off and no one's really overly bothered about it. So maybe we'll be surprised and we'll be treated to a flowing night of football.
"But I've got visions of this one being a bit pre-season vibes. And that's fine. It's fine to me as long as no one gets injured, everyone gets through it and then we can just all focus fully on that game against PSG. But I do want a win, no doubt about it."
Arteta is facing a critical call over Bukayo Saka's involvement on Wednesday following Leif Davis's crunching challenge on the winger on Sunday, and Watts also admitted concern surrounding possible long-term impacts for the Hale End graduate.
Ben Knapton
