Dean Henderson fires pressure warning at Arsenal stars ahead of Eberechi Eze reunion

View 3 Images

Dean Henderson has claimed Crystal Palace ’s trip to Arsenal on Sunday is a “free hit” because all the pressure is on the Premier League leaders. But the England keeper insisted the FA Cup and Community Shield holders can rack up another famous win against a top team

Eberechi Eze scored in the 2-2 draw at the Emirates in April and has since joined the Premier League leaders . After a 19-game unbeaten run, Palace suffered a second defeat in three games when they could not break down the stubborn defence of Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.

This London derby will see Arsenal come out and attack. And 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!

“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?”

View 3 Images

Palace shocked Manchester City in the FA Cup final and beat Liverpool on penalties to win the Community Shield.

Eze netted the Wembley winner 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.”

View 3 Images

Henderson called the Larnaca defeat a “reality check” at the start of a run of six games in 18 games, including a visit to Anfield in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Glasner made three changes for the club’s first Conference League group stage home game and teenage French defender Jaydee Canvot gave the ball away for the goal in only his second appearance.

“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.”