Arsenal will go into their first Premier League game of 2017 fourth in the table after beating West Brom 1-0 on Boxing Day.

The Gunners found it tough going against Tony Pulis’ side, but Olivier Giroud’s fourth league goal of the campaign four minutes from time sealed a crucial three points for Arsene Wenger’s men.

They had suffered back-to-back defeats in the build-up to Christmas, with the Gunners going down 2-1 at Everton on December 13 before losing by the same scoreline at Manchester City five days later.

Nonetheless, that win over West Brom means that they remain nine points behind league leaders Chelsea and, more importantly, maintain their one point lead over North London rivals Tottenham in fifth.

Arsenal will come up against another stubborn defence on New Year’s Day though when they host Crystal Palace at the Emirates, who are now under the stewardship of Sam Allardyce.

The former England manager replaced the sacked Alan Pardew just before Christmas, and his side drew 1-1 at Watford in his first game in charge on Boxing Day.

In what is likely to prove another tough test for Arsenal on Sunday, Wenger may consider making a few changes to his side, especially given that they travel to Bournemouth two days later.

Thus, here are THREE players who deserve a chance against Palace on New Year’s Day…

Shkodran Mustafi

If German defender Shkodran Mustafi is passed fit to play, he should go straight back into the side against Palace.

The 24-year-old has missed the Gunners’ last three games due to injury, and in that time Arsenal have conceded four goals and lost two matches.

Mustafi arrived from Valencia in the summer and appeared to be the answer to Wenger’s defensive issues, even if there were a few shaky displays mixed in as well, and the French boss will want to get him back alongside Laurent Koscielny as soon as possible to re-develop that partnership.

Aaron Ramsey

Whether Wenger selects Olivier Giroud to lead the line or not could determine whether Aaron Ramsey gets a recall.

The Welsh international has struggled to get back into the side since an injury ruled him out of the first few months of the season, and he last started a league game for the Gunners in their 1-1 draw at Manchester United on November 19.

However, with fitness concerns over Theo Walcott, Wenger may be tempted to bring Ramsey back into the side, especially given that Palace will likely set up similarly to West Brom, so the Gunners will need all their creative talent and guile to break down Sam Allardyce’s side.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Arsenal may need pace and directness to get past what is likely to be a stubborn Palace defence on Sunday, so Wenger could turn to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain if the England international is passed fit.

The 23-year-old has one goal and two assists in his last three Premier League starts for Arsenal in what has so far been his most prolific goal-scoring season to date.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has netted six times already this season, two more than his best season for the Gunners back in 2012, and Wenger may utilise his pace down the flanks to open up and stretch the Palace defence.