Arsenal issued with 'I hope so' warning ahead of Eberechi Eze's big reunion

Dean Henderson has suggested that Crystal Palace's clash with Arsenal on Sunday is a "free hit" - and the pressure is all on the Premier League leaders.

However, the England goalkeeper is confident that the FA Cup and Community Shield winners can secure another notable victory against a top team - despite the Eagles' suffering a second defeat in three games when losing to AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.

Those defeats followed a 19-match unbeaten streak, and Henderson insists that against the title favourites, Oliver Glasner's men have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Henderson said: "The reality is, when you go to the Emirates, it's a free hit. You've got to go there, you've got to just play with confidence and enjoy playing there and see what you can do and cause an upset.

"You just use it as a cup game, a one-off game and the pressure's on them. So we'll go there and do the best we can. Are we better suited playing a team like Arsenal who we can hit on the breakaway? I hope so!"

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"If we went there and won it would change everything. We'll look forward to it, and give it our best shot. We've delivered against teams like that so why not do it again?"

Palace stunned Manchester City in the FA Cup final and triumphed over Liverpool on penalties to clinch the Community Shield. Eberechi Eze scored the decisive goal at Wembley to secure the South London club's first major trophy, but joined the Gunners for £60m this summer.

"He's a top player in the world," Henderson added. "They have top players there. It'll be good to see him. I'm delighted for him, but with this game it's full focus here and what we're doing and that's all we focus on."

Henderson described the Larnaca defeat as a "reality check" at the beginning of a demanding sequence of six matches in 18 days, which includes a trip to Anfield for the Carabao Cup clash on Wednesday.

Glasner made three alterations for the club's inaugural Conference League group stage fixture at home, with teenage French defender Jaydee Canvot surrendering possession for the goal in just his second outing.

"JD's going to be a top player for us in the future," Henderson insisted. "He's phenomenal, his attributes are tremendous. I love playing with him.

"I was trying to tell him that I was taking the responsibility for giving him the ball so hopefully I get the blame for it and not him."