Black Star wants to use his Accra education to topple Arsenal

Crystal Palace hardly ever beat Arsenal. They hosted the Gunners 23 times in league games and have only won only three times. Selhurst Park often felt like a fortress in the past decade, but Arsenal always seem to have solutions for their South London problems.

The Eagles' Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew had a good start to the season, setting up Odsonne Edouard for the only goal in the win at Sheffield United last weekend. The 31-year-old Ghana international featured in all 38 Premier League games for the club last season under two managers - Patrick Vieira and Roy Hodgson. Speaking to Sky Sports, he credited his upbringing in the streets of Accra for his grit.

"I can't speak highly enough of Accra. It's home for me, and I learned a lot of things - the basics in life: being disciplined and humble. You get advice from your family, but also from people in the neighbourhood. They would tell me when I was not doing the right thing. It's a different mentality compared to Europe. It's helped shape who I am today. These are the people who started with me from the bottom, my real friends, and I always love going back to see them."

Despite being a son of a famous father, Abedi Pele, Jordan always tried his best to be his own man - and his own player, free of comparisons to his father and the football-mad brothers. Ayew gears up for tonight's game, knowing they will have to be on top of their game to stand any chance of overcoming Mikel Arteta's side.

"We're ambitious, but we're keeping our feet on the ground. We're not looking too far ahead as we know we have to be consistent in our performances. Our focus is on Arsenal, and it will be a very hard game. I can't predict the result, but we're looking forward to returning to Selhurst Park. My family and friends will be there, so it will be a very exciting night. My family back home will be in front of the TV, so hopefully we can put smiles on people's faces."

The game at Selhurst Park will be another meeting of the league's oldest manager and the fifth-youngest Arteta. The Spaniard only had words of praise for his 35 years older peer.

"Hats off to Roy. I told him personally when I saw him last week. It's not only what he's done, it's how he's done it. He's so natural, and he's still so humble, so intelligent and the way he manages the team, the results that he's having - it's just excellent. He's somebody to look very closely at of how he's done it because it's amazing what he's done. If we are invited, we have a drink together because it's always fascinating to listen to him and the people that have been alongside him for a long time. After all, they're the ones that know him really well."

In terms of team news, Arsenal's defender Jurrien Timber endured a severe knee injury during his Premier League debut last weekend, sidelining him for an estimated seven-month period. As a potential replacement for the injured Dutchman, Oleksandr Zinchenko could step in after recovering from his calf problem.

Crystal Palace's defender Marc Guehi is still an option for selection despite having to leave the field with a limp in the victory at Bramall Lane. Despite giving Palace a big boost by rejecting Chelsea's approaches and signing a new four-year contract, winger Michael Olise is still unavailable due to a hamstring injury. Additionally, Will Hughes and Matheus Franca are still out of contention.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 2

Friday

Nott. Forest - Sheffield United 2-1 (1-0)

/Awoniyi 3, Wood 89 - Hamer 48/

Saturday

Fulham - Brentford 0-3 (0-1)

/Wissa 44, Mbeumo 66 pen, 90+2/

Liverpool - Bournemouth 3-1 (2-1)

/Diaz 27, Salah 36, Jota 62 - Semenyo 3/

Wolverhampton - Brighton 1-4 (0-1)

/Hwang 61 - Mitoma 15, Estupinan 46, March 51,55/

Tottenham - Manchester United 2-0 (0-0)

/Sarr 49, Davies 83/

Manchester City - Newcastle United 1-0 (1-0)

/Alvarez 31/

Sunday

Aston Villa Everton 4-0 (2-0)

/McGinn 18, Luiz 24 pen,, Bailey 51, Duran 75/

West Ham - Chelsea 3-1 (1-1)

/Aguerd 7, Antonio 53, Paqueta 90+5 pen - Chukwuemeka 28/

Monday

22.00: (5.60) Crystal Palace (3.70) Arsenal (1.65)

***odds are subject to change