England goalkeeper Dean Henderson insists the FA Cup holders will bounce back from the UEFA Conference League shock away to Arsenal in the Premier League
Dean Henderson has insisted Crystal Palace’s trip to Arsenal on Sunday is a “free hit” as all the pressure falls on the Premier League leaders. But the England keeper insisted the FA Cup and Community Shield holders could rack up another famous win against the top team.
Ebelesi Eze scored in a 2-2 draw against the Emirates in April and has since joined the Premier League leaders. Palace, who had been unbeaten in 19 games, were unable to overcome the stubborn defense of Cypriot team AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, suffering their second defeat in three games.
Arsenal will be on the offensive in this London derby. And Henderson said: “The reality is when you go to the Emirates it’s a free batting. You have to go there. You have to play with confidence, enjoy playing there, see what you can do and try to cause an upset.”
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“Just using it as a cup match, a one-off game, the pressure is on them. So we’re going to go there and do the best we can. Are we better suited to play a team like Arsenal who can attack with breakthroughs? I hope so!”
“If we go there and win, everything will change. We’re going to look forward to it and give our best. We’ve had results against teams like that, so why not do it again?”
Palace shocked Manchester City in the FA Cup final, defeating Liverpool on penalties to win the Community Shield.
Eze, who scored the winning goal at Wembley to lift the south London club’s first major trophy, joined the Gunners for £60 million in the summer.
“He’s a top player in the world,” Henderson added. “They’ve got a top player. It’s good to see him. I’m happy for him, but this game is all about this and what we’re doing and we’re just focused on that.”
Henderson called the loss at Larnaca a “reality check” after starting six of 18 games, including Wednesday’s visit to Anfield in the Carabao Cup.
Glasner made three changes for the club’s first Conference League group stage home game, with teenage French defender Jaydee Camvo, making his second appearance, scoring the ball away.
“JD is going to be a top player for us in the future,” Henderson insisted. “He’s phenomenal, his attributes are phenomenal. I love playing with him. I was trying to tell him that I was responsible for giving him the ball, so hopefully I’ll take that responsibility and not him.”
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