The mood in Arsenal side of the Transfer Tavern is very subdued at the minute for a number of reasons.

The Gunners looks set to miss out on the top four for the first time in an age which may well result in the loss of stars such as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil for next season.

Meanwhile, boss Arsene Wenger is offering no clarity on his future and the uncertainty is really angering Gunners in the Tavern.

With a huge split between Wenger In and Wenger Out fans, our landlord has had to act as peacemaker as certain feuds have seemed to be close to boiling over.

On the pitch, the Gunners face up against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday night, and the fans should at least be able to recall a victory at the turn of the year as well as a sensational scorpion goal from Olivier Giroud.

Young Nigerian starlet, Alex Iwobi grabbed the second goal just before the hour as the Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners on the day.

A lot has seemed to change at the Emirates since that day but with the Gunners needing a win from this one, our landlord reckons this XI will get Arsene Wenger’s men over the line…

GK: David Ospina

With first choice keeper, Petr Cech out for at least a few more weeks with a calf injury, our landlord expects Ospina to be in goal for this fixture.

The Columbian has featured in the FA Cup and Champions League this season and is now enjoying an unexpected run in the side due to Cech’s unavailability.

RB: Hector Bellerin

Bellerin’s performances have been under scrutiny from Arsenal fans in the Tavern in recent weeks due to a series of inconsistent performances, especially in the big fixtures.

Though obviously a talented full back, our landlord believes Bellerin will view this season as a learning curve as he looks to become one of the best right backs in the league.

CB: Shkodran Mustafi

The German defender has had a decent first season in Arsenal colours and at 24 years of age, our landlord believes Mustafi will become more of a force for the Gunners in years to come.

Arsenal fans in the Tavern agree with our landlord and feel that the signing of Mustafi has been a shining light in what has been a dark season at the Emirates.

CB: Laurent Koscielny

The Frenchman has been struggling with an Achilles injury of late but our landlord has tapped into his inside knowledge and believes Koscielny will take the field at Selhurst Park.

This is music to the ears of Arsenal fans who feel so much more confident in their otherwise leaky defence when Koscielny plays.

LB: Nacho Monreal

The left back position is an area of concern for Arsenal at the moment and our landlord believes it would be crazy if the Gunners don’t acquire a new left back in the summer.

In the meantime, Nacho Monreal will take the responsibility and with the form of Wilfried Zaha being strong going into the fixture, the Spaniard will have to be on top of his game.

CM: Francis Coquelin

After missing the mid-week fixture against West Ham due to suspension, Coquelin should return to take his place against Palace.

The ball winning midfielder will look to effective by breaking up the play in the Palace midfield however the Gunners in the Tavern still aren’t convinced by the Frenchman’s capability in the middle of the park.

CM: Granit Xhaka

The Swiss international is still looking to make his mark in an Arsenal shirt, and it’s fair to say that our landlord has been less than impressed than with the discipline Xhaka has shown during his time at the Emirates.

The Arsenal fans in the Tavern still have hope that their £35m summer signing will come good and expect a strong end to the season from their man, Xhaka.

RM: Danny Welbeck

The tireless efforts of Welbeck have not gone unnoticed by our landlord, and he believes that the former Manchester United man could pop up on the right hand side of attack for this fixture.

Gunners in the Tavern could not be happier with the return of Welbeck, and it is no secret that he could well be a vital cog in the late assault from Arsenal in order to gain a Champions League spot.

CAM: Mesut Ozil

Whilst the German has been under much criticism this season, there is no doubting his quality and Arsenal fans in the Tavern are desperate just to see a glimpse of Ozil’s talent before the season ends.

Our landlord agrees that if Ozil switches on the magic, it could make a massive difference to an Arsenal side who have been bang average in the past couple months.

LM: Alexis Sanchez

One thing is for sure, Arsenal fans in the Tavern are spewing at the possibility of Alexis turning out for London rivals Chelsea next season.

The Chilean has been sensational for Arsenal this season and it would be a major coup if the club can convince him to sign a new contract at the end of the season, only time will tell and it really is a subject that is stressing out the Arsenal fans.

ST: Olivier Giroud

Arsenal fans in the Tavern will remember Giroud’s scorpion goal against Palace last time these two sides met, but just a contribution will be enough if it means the Gunners pick up three points in this one.

The Frenchman’s match vs his French team mate, Mamadou Sakho, will determine how successful the Gunners will be in this fixture, and it will be no easy task following the form of the on loan Liverpool centre-back.