Roy Hodgson explains why he’s not looking forward to facing Arsenal tonight

ROY HODGSON readily admits he really isn't looking forward to tonight's date with Arsenal.

Crystal Palace entertain the Gunners hoping to hang on to their eight-match unbeaten Premier League run.

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That's a record for the south Londoners - and a commendable one give their dismal start to the season.

But boss Hodgson has truly stopped the rot, shifting the Eagles out the relegation zone in style.

Now they face Arsenal and then runaway leaders Manchester City, and former England manager Hodgson told the Crystal Palace FC website: "We are going to find it very difficult.

"We will have to be at the absolute top of our game and hope that Arsenal are not at their best then we might have a chance.

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"I don't look forward to playing the teams that are fully expected to beat us and they are such a good team with so many good players.

"We know that's what we've got coming, that's what we've got to try to find a way of trying to deal with.

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"The only advantage we have is the fact that it is at home ... they (the fans) will be expecting us to give our all against Arsenal."

The Gunners have kept a clean sheet in all three of their Premier League London derbies this season and can go four London derbies without conceding for the first time since February 1999.

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But they have also won only two Premier League away games this season - their joint-fewest tally after nine away games of a campaign in the Prem era.

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Palace beat Watford 2-1 in their last home game, overcame Leicester City 3-0 away before being held at rock bottom Swansea City last weekend.