Crystal Palace vs Arsenal: Yohan Cabaye will cause Gunners problems says Jamie Carragher

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has warned Arsenal that midfielder Yohan Cabaye will cause the Gunners problems when they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday, 16 August.

The north London club suffered a 2-0 defeat to West Ham United in the opening match of the season. Cheikhou Kouyate and the Hammers' summer signing Dimitri Payet's goals were sufficient for them to seal a victory.

Cabaye reunited with his former manager Alan Pardew after the French international made a switch to Selhurst Park from Paris Saint-Germain this summer. He had already scored in Palace's 3-1 victory over Norwich City in the season-opener.

Arsenal struggled to deal with new boy Payet during their first match against West Ham. Carragher says Cabaye can cause problems to Arsenal as to what the former Marseille midfielder did to the Emirates club.

"Arsenal go to Selhurst Park on Sunday to face a Crystal Palace side who look like they have built on the hard-to-beat tag, especially with the capture of Yohan Cabaye," Carragher told the Daily Mail.

"It shows the strength of the Premier League that Palace can take a French international from Paris Saint-Germain and it highlights how Alan Pardew is trying to take them forward and add that bit of class to the energetic side he inherited."

"Cabaye has already been on the scoresheet - in last week's 3-1 win at Norwich - and I am sure he will cause Arsenal problems.

"Arsenal failed to deal with another new boy last week in Dimitri Payet of West Ham and if the same happens in south London it will be a really difficult day for Arsene Wenger's men," he added.

The former Liverpool defender has warned Arsenal and Arsene Wenger that a defeat to Palace will be a massive psychological blow in their title chase. Carragher believes it is vital for the Gunners to avoid defeat against the Eagles as they look to bounce back following their opening day defeat.

"They started the season with realistic hopes of winning the title and will not want to start with two defeats. The team who win the title usually lose no more than five games a season so they would then be up against it," the former England defender explained.

"Thirty-six matches offer plenty of time to put things right but besides the defeats and dropped points, another defeat would be a huge psychological blow to a team that are fragile and still trying to believe they have what it takes to mount a serious title challenge.

"It's important that Wenger's men leave with a point on the board at least," the Anfield favourite explained.

More about Arsenal