---
title: "Crystal Palace: James Tomkins ruled out of Arsenal clash"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/crystal-palace-james-tomkins-injury-news-arsenal/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Crystal Palace News"
published: "2022-08-05T08:36:51Z"
modified: "2022-08-05T08:36:51Z"
---

# Crystal Palace: James Tomkins ruled out of Arsenal clash

**[Crystal Palace](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/crystal-palace-news/) have been dealt another injury blow ahead of their Premier League opener with Arsenal this evening, with James Tomkins ruled out in the last 24 hours.**

### The Lowdown: Pre-season…

Patrick Vieira’s side haven’t had the best of preparations for the new campaign, with the Palace squad split in half in recent weeks. The Eagles took just [ten](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/crystal-palace-patrick-vieira-tour-b1012968.html) senior players on their pre-season tour, with plenty of well-known names staying behind due to either injuries or travel issues.

Tomkins, who journalist Josh Bunting called [‘superb’ in his defending](https://twitter.com/Buntingfootball/status/972537199966277633), was in the [matchday squad](https://www.flashscore.co.uk/player/tomkins-james/QDQPXCES/) for the final friendly with Montpellier and [featured](https://www.flashscore.co.uk/player/tomkins-james/QDQPXCES/) against QPR, but the experienced defender now won’t be seen this evening.

### The Latest: Vieira’s update

Vieira faced the media on Thursday afternoon for his first pre-match press conference of the season.

He [confirmed](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/first-team/patrick-vieira-discusses-crystal-palace-v-arsenal-first-2022-23-premier-league-match/2022-08-04/) that Tomkins will join James McArthur and Michael Olise on the sidelines due to a calf problem.

\[freshpress-poll id=”404902″\]

### The Verdict: Not ideal

Tomkins only made [eight](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-tomkins/leistungsdaten/spieler/61592/plus/0?saison=2021) Premier League appearances last season, however, you’d expect he would have been in and around the squad this evening if he was available.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398344″\]

His experience could come in handy throughout the season, with [three](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/crystal-palace/kader/verein/873) of Vieira’s five centre-back options 22 years of age or younger.

The five-substitute rule may also result in the 33-year-old receiving more game time, but we won’t be seeing him tonight in what is another blow for Vieira.