Starting XI: Ospina, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Welbeck, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Bellerin, Gabriel, Wilshere, Rosicky, Walcott
Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud scored in the first half as Arsenal overcame a dogged Crystal Palace side 2-1 at Selhurst Park. Danny Welbeck was at the centre of the action, first winning a penalty for the Spaniard to stroke home on 8 minutes and then forcing Eagles keeper Julian Speroni into a save that Giroud fired home in stoppage time. Alan Pardew’s side were the dominant side for much of the game but lacked teeth in the final third as they squandered a series of half chances in a high-tempo second period. Glenn Murray did grab a consolation deep into five minutes of stoppage time and then had time to the post as he nearly rescued a last ditch point.
Pre-game
Ospina, Mertesacker, Monreal and Coquelin all returned to the starting line-up after sitting out last weekend’s FA Cup win over Middlesbrough. For the second week running the midfield was full of attacking options with Ozil and Cazorla sitting behind Giroud, Welbeck and Alexis. After three months out following ankle surgery Wilshere was on the bench with new boy Gabriel, Rosicky and Walcott other options at Arsene Wenger’s disposal.
First half
It was the officials who took centre stage in the opening stages, with referee Mark Clattenburg and his assistants making a series of gaffes. First Ozil had a goal disallowed for an offside that wasn’t. Moments later Coquelin got away with a disastrously rash challenge on Frazier Campbell that could have resulted in a red card; he somehow got away without a booking. Then Nacho Monreal took out a Zaha deep in Arsenal territory but wasn’t penalised.
On seven minutes Clattenburg did finally get something right, pointing to the spot for an Arsenal penalty. Danny Welbeck had stolen the ball off Palace debutant Pape Souare and was clumsily taken down right on the edge of the box by the Senegalese debutant. Santi Cazorla kept up his 100 per cent record from the spot this season, calmly slotting home his sixth penalty low to Speroni’s left. (1-0) It was the ninth game in a row we’d scored inside the opening 30 minutes.
The raucous home support pushed for a reaction from Pardew’s side and duly got it. The home side buoyed by the pace of Puncheon, Gayle, Campbell and Zaha pressed in packs, crunched into tackles and were quicker to the ball in the middle of the park. Monreal and Chambers were targeted in particular and often found themselves on the back foot. Coquelin and Jordan Mutch went into the book as the game turned ridiculously niggly.
For all their pressure and possession the Eagles didn’t actually create any clear cut chances. In fact it was Arsenal that should have extended their lead when Koscielny found space in the box only to head a corner wide. In stoppage time at the end of the first half Arsenal did double their lead thanks to Olivier Giroud’s 50th goal in Arsenal colours. It was clinical stuff against the run of play by the Gunners. Alexis Sanchez fed Danny Welbeck behind the Palace defence on the left side of the box and when the England international’s first time strike was parried by Julian Speroni, the French striker pounced at close range to poke the ball into an empty net. (2-0).
Second half
Palace were quick out of the traps at the start of the second period winning a series of corners with attacks down Monreal’s left. Zaha and Puncheon both came close only to be denied by last ditch blocks. The desperate nature of Arsenal’s defending was summed up by Giroud who clumsily took out Gayle and was rightly booked.
At the other end a dinked cross by Sanchez saw Ozil clip the bar with a header. The two men then combined a second time on 56 minutes with a devastating counter-attack that saw the Chile international shoot wide after a brilliant run and pass from his German teammate. It was a move that deserved a goal.
The game was played at a breathless end-to-end pace, in part thanks to the introduction of Bolasie for the injured Campbell. To add to the drama Ospina went ‘full Almunia’ with a mad charge from his goal that saw him head the ball clear and then fall into Mertesacker. Trying to take the sting out of the game the Colombian went down a couple of minutes later claiming a head injury as a result.
The home side continued to create chances. Gayle headed a Souare cross over with 21 minutes remaining and Puncheon hit a free-kick inches wide with Ospina rooted to the spot. Arsene Wenger’s response was to replace Ozil and Welbeck with the more defensive Rosicky and Gibbs. Pardew’s replied in kind throwing Shola Ameobi and Glenn Murray into the fray; the aim was obviously to go long in the final ten minutes.
The two sides continued to trade blows in the final stages, Speroni and Ospina making saves headers by Giroud and Mutch respectively. Deep into stoppage time Glenn Murrary bundled home a consolation (2-1) and with the last attack of the game the Englishman hit the post with a header that nearly snatched an unlikely point. It was a nerve-shredding ending, but somehow we held out.
The win, coupled with Manchester United’s defeat at Swansea, sees Arsenal climb into third place in the table. It’s our eighth win in nine games and we’ve some tasty momentum as attention returns to the Champions League and the visit of Monaco on Wednesday evening.
Well, that wasn’t fun…
Selhurst Park- where potatoes are grown on weekdays and professional football played on weekends. Not an overwhelming performance (meaning I almost shat myself in the last minute) by our boys, but 3 points nonetheless. 3rd place, man city we are coming.
I don’t usually complain about this kind of thing, but that was by far the worst pitch we’ve played on all year. I don’t understand how a Premier League pitch can be allowed to be of such low quality.
That was the shitiest pitch in all England, glad it’s over because it affected our passing game to max, if the pitch was somewhat good we would won by 3-4 goals.
Bit concerning that in the final minute crystal palace knew they just had to attack chambers for a clear chance and it almost came off. Don’t get me wrong I like chambers but if there was ever a sign that we should keep Jenkinson it’s this. Debuchy being a tad unlucky with injuries and bellerin still young jenkinson should be given a chance. I think chambers should develop centrally
We’re third now seems like only yesterday we were 5th….. Um wait a minute.
I like Jenko and have always rated him very highly but I highly doubt he’ll play for us again. He’s not gonna want to go back to sitting on the bench at Arsenal if West Ham want him as a starter
You never know steve harper stayed at Newcastle for 20 years as a back up goalkeeper. I know it’s a different position and quality of player but my point is if jenkison really loves the club and feels he can displace debuchy and bellerin (Which could be possible) why not stay.
That said I understand your point Would seem a little foolish for a player of his quality to leave first team football for the bench.
Chambers still can’t buy alchohol in America. For 90 odd minutes were never conceded a goal. Remember how Monreal use to be…
Let’s get behind this squad sitting okay in third but should be settled in first.
Forever COUGH!!!
I don’t think debuchy or Hector would have slowed Bolasie much more when he’s in that form.
Given how other results are turning out, well I will take that with both hands.
them scoring in the last minute instead of hitting the woodwork would’ve been typical Arsenal. We got lucky. I’ll take it though. Absolutely. We were lucky not to get the third with the Sanchez, Ozil counter.
Another match that the oppo had more possession and we won. Let’s keep that going!
thats because we played on a paddy field.
I aged 20 fucking years in that last minute
We were lucky that last header cam off the post! But fuck it, we often dont have lady luck on our side so i’ll take it! COYG!!!
By the same reasoning, they were lucky that Ozil clipped the bar and Sanchez put wide…c’est la vie
I feel that, brother! What happened to our possession game?
whut the fook, 5 mins left 2 up I still felt we were going to lose.
I’m not sure that putting all our defenders on at once really works. Gibbs for Welbeck I can inderstand: AW has done this before — bringing on Gibbs (or Monreal) as a more defensively-minded left midfield — and it’s worked OK; but with 6 defenders on we seemed to lose our defensive shape. Surely better to try to keep the ball in midfield with some attacking options available. On the other hand, we weren’t exactly doing much of a job at keeping the ball, anyway. I’ve noticed that when teams press us energetically we can often lose our rhythm and… Read more »
We won and manure lost. GET IN!
That is the positive I take from today. Chelsea also dropped 2 points against Burnley! We just need Spurs to lose tomorrow (come on Jenks) and it’s been a memorable weekend. I’m trying not to think of the fact that we had 7 defensive players on the pitch and still conceded in the last minute. It’s a shame as 2-0 would have given us 3rd best GD in the league but a win is a win and we played with class as always so on to the next one!
Also be great if Southampton and Liverpool cancel each other out with a draw
3 Points is 3 points
Big Win ! I had this down as a Banana skin game. Those 3 points will be crucial come May.
Not when its a 6 point “6 pointer” its not.
nearly died. totally worth it! third in the league. Bring on Monaco
Really disappointed with the way we dealt with the final minutes but at the end, happy we got the 3 points.
So pleased for the win. Alexis, Ozil, Cazorla, and Olly were awesome. Great performance, bring on Monaco!
On a side note, I do believe the manager does prefer Bellerin for Chambers over a reason, the latter had an less than average game today, booked needlessly, and too oft beaten for pace by Bolasie. Scary.
To be fair to Chambers Bolasie is probably the most dangerous winger to mark one on one in this league. And that’s not just based on this game alone. his final ball too is dangerously scary. he just puts in a powerful ball in the box that’s neither a shot nor a cross. Almost caught Ospina out with one of those
How did we give the ball away rather than keep possession with only one minute left to play?! Christ! Regardless – good win, third place, COYG!
Thank Christ for that.
Palace always up their game in the big matches and they probably have the best home fans in the PL which helps too so it’s a good 3 poinrs.. We defended well overall but disappointed we’re not more of an attacking threat on the counter when we have a lead, we seem to just try and hold out mostly which is a bit frustrating considering the players we have. Good afternoon though, thank you Swansea!
Palace played very well I thought, lots of energy and attacking, though not lots of skill and shots on target. We did well to win, those are the sort of matches that make a difference, especially with the Swansea result and us into 3rd place. Love our attitude.
Let’s hope Southampton draw, or worse.
I’ll take the three points.
I think palace missed him today 😉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJpwJ_6-Di0
3 points is the main thing, coyg!
Thought Ozil was quietly brilliant today
That moment in the second half when he passed to himself before sliding in Alexis had me giddy.
two observations:
1. what do they have for a pitch there? ice rinK?
2. why the hell was mrk clattenshit smirking when ospina went down injured?
conclusion: great defence, 3 points.
P.S- man u lost. hilarious.
That pitch was absolutely shit. I wouldnt put it past Pardew.
Perhaps because Ospina was putting on a bit of a show? 😛
Very valuable 3 points. We are 3rd in league. Manu lost and Chelsea drew with Burnley. Great day for us!
Gabriel coming on was absolutely brilliant
AW: All right Gabriel, let’s go over the signals. If I tug my zipper like so, it means the signal is a fake. However I can take that off by kicking a water bottle. If I want you to hoof it I will touch my belt buckle not once not twice but thrice….
GP: Uh oh I don’t know what he’s saying, why won’t he just let me go on..
Anyway, fresh pants required after that game.
Did they play on an ice or something? The amount of slipping was really amusing.
Bloody hell what a stressful game! But 3 points is 3 points and with rivals dropping points these were vital. Must say though, I think I’d rather see Szc in goal instead of Ospina, the Colombian just seems too flappy and unassured for my liking. That’s a discussing for another day though, definitely worth waking up early for even though I about had a heart attack at the end! COYG!!
I rather see a stick of MacKlennets in goal than the overrated selfiemaster who proved multiple times his ineptitude. Ospina is fine with better skills and with a much better demeanour. Give him time. I know Andrew hates him wih passion but it doesn’t mean you have to jump on his bandwagon.
Anyway, good win, RedCafe will be a fantastic reading tonight.
One thing was essential – 3 points, and we got it. Better still, United lost. We are in top four for real.
Another limp display. It’s seems to be a pattern; play well one game, then don’t turn up the next. Baffled by the substitutions I have to say. If Gibbs was brought on to defend, he spent more time up front. I cannot remember when we have played with 3 centre backs and 2 wing backs. That reeks of desperation from Wenger and he clearly didn’t trust the players out there to do the job. Before the substitutions we looked comfortable, then bam we’re defending for our lives. Puzzled.
great teams find ways to win when they don’t play their best. Man U were excellent at that for years under ole red nose.
Pitch was bloody awful.
Clattenburg – put your bloody cards away. He also gave 9 yellows midweek between Porto and Basel. Terribly inconsistent job today.
Man U were shit then and they are shit now.
I’ll never forgive Wenger for selling Robin the Rapist to that pile of dogshit, we could have won the league or finished second that year, instead, van cuntface won the league for them almost single handedly
Hi, please don’t call him that. There’s plenty of ways you can insult him if you must, but not in a way which is a) untrue and b) horribly crass.
Please see our comment policy – http://news.arseblog.com/comment-policy/
don’t call him that
These Referees eh? Özil has now had two goals wrongly ruled out for offside.
Of course neither of our goals were legit today so let’s not be too harsh.
The penalty is absolutely a penalty. He catches Welbeck twice. Once outside the box and then makes contact with Welbeck’s other leg inside the box.
Well, Welbeck’s foot was outside the box, and the Palace player had his foot inside the box, I’d call it a penalty.
Even R Savage declared it a penalty on MOTD….
Agreed.
Looking forward to what Mourinho has to say in his press conference, let’s hope he speaks his mind and gets a ban.
No doubt I get thumbed down to oblivion for this but I’ve seen the highlights of Chelsea’s game and imo, having seen several of their matches, referees are being biased against them in the same way they were against us up until a couple of years ago. Disgusting tackle by Barnes on Matic that didn’t even see him get a yellow card. A clear penalty not awarded. And those are just the obvious decisions worthy of the highlights reel, can’t imagine how many of the 50/50’s went against them. I immensely dislike CFC but I fucking despise referees and the… Read more »
They had two players booked for diving and Cahill should have been, earlier in the season v Hull.
So not sympathetic, especially given we gave been treated over many years. And we rarely dive, if ever.
I soooo agree with you. When are the refs going to get a grip? Their standards by and large are a joke…. across the board.
Well, one penalty denied and the opposition should have had a man sent off…that’s an average reffing performance for us so no sympathy towards Chelsea from me.
to be fair to Mourinho, that tackle on Matic was disgusting (should have been 2 reds on that play).
Other than that, Chelsea get what they deserve for not being adventurous enough in their play.
That was an ugly, ugly win, but I’ll take the three points. Palace gifted us two goals, and if they hadn’t been absolutely shit at finishing we could have taken a hiding. Hopefully Bellerin will be fit for Monaco because Chambers had a bit of a nightmare today. And we really do need to work on countering a press in midfield, because we barely won a single ball all game. On the other hand, Man Ure lost and Chelsea drew and had Matic sent off, so very good results all around us. I’m off to change my underwear then pack… Read more »
Well, it doesn’t seem like it will be pretty from hereon in. I’m happy as long for another 3 points. Get in!
Manure lost, Chelsea drew. Good day.
We’re now 3rd…even better.
Highlight of the game was giroud turned scott dann and he almost twisted his ankle. First time this season i’ve seen giroud dribble a player this season(second time ever)
Palace almost equalized at death due to ospina’s brain fart.
3 points in the bag, can’t really complain.
His dive wasn’t so convincing. He should have made sure he touched the ball, at least. But to be fair, I don’t think he would have stood any chance had he stayed in goal considering the quality of the header.
How the hell do you lose the ball with just a minute left to play?
Good question…i swear my heart was in my mouth throughout.
We were really lucky.
Shit happens…
Not the most convincing performance, but in the end, the 3 points are what matter.
I just don’t know why we can’t play simple possession football to protect a lead. With all our talent, we should be able to play keep away much more often. Far too close a finish after being 2-0 up so late in the game.
I know it’s not right to blame everything on the pitch, but it sure didn’t help at all. Especially considering the way we like to play. Too many awkward bounces.
What sort of pitch was that? What was with all the slipping? The quintessential cynic I am believes it was all by design to make our quick passing game that much more difficult. That having been said, bless the post.
Never in doubt!
Chambers should NEVER play as a rb again. Bellerin over him any day of the weak.
He gets beaten too easily by pacy players.
Monreal did not have his best game either to be fair. But to defend them a slight bit the pitch was fucking awful. We would have been spectating a completly different game if it was played at the emirates. But yes, our defense is what keeps me believing that we got 0 chance of winning the Champions League this season. You saw the way pacy Crystal Palace players exposed our flanks. Imagine the likes of Robben, Ronaldo etc.. You’d get punished for defensive performances like this. At the end of the day.. Great result, 3 points. Lovely to see the… Read more »
Dealt alright with Bolasie imo, he was constantly stretching to get his crosses off as he didn’t really have the space to do anything other than swing a foot at it and knock it into the box, most of them were innnocuous.
Far prefer him at CB though, Bellerin is more natural out there.
we almost lost two points in 1 minute…arsenal should be careful of getting complacent towards the deep end. there’s no stoping me from enjoying the sweet 3pts given result from the manchester united game.
Last night I dreamed that I was showing David Ospina around a new house I wanted to sell him. It was perfect for him, because as you drove up the driveway a recorded voice did the ‘Oooospina!’ thing.
What does it all mean? I’m not even an estate agent.
A random but most excellent comment sir!
Do teams intentionally shitten (sorry oxford dictionary) their pitches before they play us? That ground looked subpar…or is the emirates spoiling me/ and our boys?
I mean we defended corners excellently for the whole game. Then we conceded from a corner again. Why do we switch off?
To raise my blood pressure and give me a heart attack at the ripe old age of the 20 that’s why.
Similar setup to the Spurs game away where the opponent was all over us much of the match and our main threat was quick counter attacks (some of which were breathtaking like the Sanchez near miss). This time though we held on and didn’t concede until the end, though certainly got lucky. I know both teams played on the same pitch, but can’t recall a match where we had so many players slipping all over the place, especially on defense. Our weakness defensively has certainly proven to be defending the wings (esp with speedy wingers like Palace has) so hopefully… Read more »
They cleared a cornfield for that game. How do I know? I was there!
who gives a duck? How many times this season have United pulled of undeserved results? Three points is all I care about. What hideous refs have become these days…
Sure Wenger… take off Chamber’s defensive cover on the right wing so he’ll be even more exposed than he was the whole game. What a strange decision which should have cost us 2 points. Murray hit the post ffs. Was it that difficult bringing in Jack and moving Rosicky to the right wing to help Chambers? I just don’t get him sometimes.
What did AW say to Gabriel?!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvPZBRXWu7k
Is that why we conceded a goal? 😉
Lost in translation ?
Not the beautiful symphonic football that I’m used to seeing from Arsenal but three juicy points and THIRD ON THE TABLE.
Palace needs to divert some of their cheerleader funds and put them towards sorting out their lumpy pitch.
Schadenfreude Saturday:
1. Chelsea drop 2 pts.
2. Matic out 3 matches
3. Man U lost
4. RVP limps off
Too bad Alexis didn’t score on that unbelievable counter attack! I kinda feel he needs a goal….hopefully this Wednesday.
one of the absolute worst pitches in the league. everytime a player tried to make a sudden turn, he slips. everytime, he tries to nutmeg a defender, he slips. everytime he tries to change direction at pace, he slips. everytime he tries to hold onto the ball, he slips..
felt like the players were playing on ice rather than on a football pitch, for FFS..
Jonjo Shelvey is a beautiful bastard. Had a hand in both Swansea’s goals.
Today’s win wasn’t pretty but frankly who cares? Encouraging display from Welbeck in the first half, he offers a lot more to this team than he is given credit for.
Couldn’t believe Murray’s effort didn’t go in. Onwards and upwards!
So what if they hit the post. Ozil hit the bar and nobody mentions it. We won because we were better. Can we improve? Yes,but that should not overshadow the fact that we won. “What ifs” dont count for shit when we are the better team and lose, why should it ruin our victory today.
Exactly.
We could have been in 3rd place 5 games ago but for results not going our way so let’s enjoy it today. And credit Ospina for his part in the run. He’s 26 and could do with adapting his technique to British football, but his reflexes have been excellent and were again today.
phewww!!!……ill take the 3 points any way you give it to me! i dont think we won ugly because that pitch was simply awful…they are used to it, but we werent, and we just did what we had to do to win….i think it was a deliberate ploy….witness the number of times our players slipped for no reason, and they just seem to float on air….. we simply couldnt get our passing game going as a result, but credit to the lads they kept going and as has been proven time and time this season, this set of arsenal players… Read more »
Happy with the 3 points but performance was underwhelming in the second half. Not suitably comfortable with this negative tactics especially against a lower side. We have the qualuty to play the our game; no need throwing defenders in and inviting pressure. Not the Arsenal way. Happy with the win. Disappointed in the performance.
Not a vintage display but considering all the other results and that we are third in the league above the philospical Manure a very good weekend. Added to the fact we played on a potato pitch and the ref was absolutely dog shite. The defence deserves credit for their efforts even though we conceded right at the end. Mertesacker in particular headed everything they threw at him. Lets keep our run going. COYG!
That pitch looked like Rooney’s face
Nyc gun
5 Arsenal won