Result: Arsenal 4 – 1 Crystal Palace
Competition: Premier League
Date: 19 March 2023
Venue: The Emirates Stadium
Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard
Subs: Turner, Tierney, Walters, Kiwior, Jorginho, Nelson, Vieira, Jesus
Arsenal opened up their lead to the top of the table to 8 points with a comfortable and impressive win at home against manager-less Crystal Palace.
Martinelli and Saka scored a goal each in the first half before Xhaka made it three for the home side early in the second half. Schlupp managed a consolation goal before Saka secured the victory for Arsenal.
Pre-Match
Injuries sustained in the Europa League paved the way for Holding to start at the back alongside Gabriel. The defence was flanked by first teamers White and Zinchenko.
In the centre, it was the regular trio of Partey, Xhaka and Odegaard. Jesus was not considered fit enough to start so Trossard led the line with Saka and Martinelli.
First Half
Despite the quick start by Arsenal, it was a game that they had to be patient in to win. The home side started at a quick pace but Crystal Palace were more concerned with organisation and slowing down the tempo.
Partey was a key pivot in the centre of the park – winning possession, keeping the ball in tight spaces and redistributing it to his forwards quickly. His efforts were mirrored on the left by Martinelli who tormented the defender with jinking runs into the box.
However, after 15 mins it still read “0 attempts on goal” despite having more than 60% possession. They were just missing the final ball. The best chances at this point were made by the opposition and the best was by Zaha who caught the Gunners on the break, cut in past White and striked low into the near post.
The ball ricocheted off the post, into Ramsdale’s back and fortunately, went out for a corner.
The game continued to be a scrappy blur as both teams battled for possession without incision – until the 27th minute. Arsenal were still unable to make that final pass but had to keep trying. White slid in Saka down the right who quickly crossed for Martinelli. The Brazilian was lively all day and he showed great explosive ability to skip past his defender and lash the ball in to make it 1-0 to the Arsenal.
The Gunners gained confidence from the goal and continued to turn the screw. It wasn’t always easy to break down the Palace defence who were defending deep but the White-Saka axis had different ideas.
Saka played a one-two with White who released the winger down the inside right again, just like the last goal. This time, Saka drove inwards and stroke the ball into the far corner to double their lead. 2-0 Saka
Second Half
The Gunners didn’t let up after the break. There was confidence and swagger as the wingers made 3 teasing crosses within the first three minutes alone.
Just when Crystal Palace looked to be regaining control, Arsenal hit back in silky style. Zinchenko’s reverse pass found Xhaka on the inside left channel. The Swiss knocked it back for Trossard who lurked in the hole in front of the Palace defence. With all the space in the world, he released Xhaka into the box to prod in at the near post and sent the Emirates into raptures. 3-0 Xhaka
Crystal Palace bit back just minutes later. Olise whipped in a corner which fortuitously landed for Schlupp to knock in and cancel out Ramsdale’s clean sheet. 3-1 Crystal Palace
65 minutes in, Jesus and Tierney came on for Trossard and Zinchenko to close the game but it destabilised the team’s momentum. Palace looked dangerous again and Zaha came close to halving the lead. Good thing that both substitutes played their part in securing the game. Jesus jinked and dribbled across the D and played in Tierney down the left. The full back pulled back a cross for Saka to slam the ball home to make it 4-1 Saka
Smith Rowe and Jorginho came on for Martinelli and White come the 82nd minute, which saw Partey move to right back – a throwback to his Atletico Madrid days.
Despite the pressure in the final minutes, the Gunners held out to extend their lead at the top of the table to 8 points.
We scored 4 for PV. Take that!
Perfect response following our midweek performance also. It was so important to not let that game affect our confidence, and we showed up today and got right back to winning ways. Exactly what we needed going into the international break. COYG!
Second time I’ve been worried about midweek hangover and we’ve looked very comfortable
Beautiful stuff today. Stuff off winners taking care of the biznatch!
I cannot believe they Sacked PV, serves them right.
The game would have been tighter with PV in charge
They have some winnable fixtures ahead, and I think PV4 would’ve steered them through it. I mean, losing 1-0 to City should never have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
When you go for a title, there are always games where you have to rely on a player you didn’t think you’d have to rely on.
Eddie, Nelson, Jorginho and Tomi have all stepped up when needed and provided vital contributions. Today it was Holding’s turn.
Well done Bob. In what could be his last ever start for the club, he did us proud.
We march on!
COYG!!!
Thought he was fantastic today. Slotted into the team perfectly – tidy on the ball and you could see how much he was frustrating Zaha. Great all-round performance, well done Holdini!
During Porto game I was thinking holding is so confident in his play and looks much better than the past. Same today. Maybe all the practice against the first team has allowed him to improve.
love how he smiles when tackling someone. Reminds me of his great cam in the fa cup final years ago.
Also, Zinny, Ben and Gabriel all did fantastically defensively which really takes the pressure off Rob. And with TP in front of the back 4, it’s a pretty secure unit.
I think one or even two squad players can comfortably come into this side. It’s when Arteta makes 5 or 6 changes that fluidity is well and truly lost.
And I think it’s unfair on the squad players to be judged in those situations.
Better defence for Roberto Holdinio to operate in. Lest we forget… He’s better than Cannavaro!
did we play porto? 🧐
He certainly played well, but I’m always wincing when he gets so close to the opponent, it’s always a chance for a foul or to get turned, but that’s his game I guess, today it was effective and I love the guys attitude.
Xhaka my MoM today even if he did try his best to fluff his goal.
How much Zaha spent time on his arse today?😂
Maybe he should be the one getting the golden globe
I said he would!! 😂
Also, watching the white-saka link up become more and more fluid and intuitive as the season has progressed is so nice to see. both were so good today – saka’s horizontal runs are a thing of beauty and white’s ability to delay his pass and wait for starboy to turn up is just poetry in motion. God bless this football team because they are so likeable and are really good at their job which is to kick a ball around and make it look good.
Spot on and well said, Jules!
They really are good ain’t they?…even when they lose, they lose fighting, gracefully, still playing sensational football….I really love me this team😁
We have so many partnerships and small groups, it helps so much on the pitch.
Gabriel/Saliba
White/Saka
Partey/Xhaka
Ode/Martinelli/Jesus
Yup, lots of people been writing off Robbie, but he was a freaking beast in this game! Hats off! COYG!
I was one of those doubters, but Holding was immense today. He gained more confidence as the other players started to rely on him more; it was great to see.
He was excellent in the Fa cup in his 1vs1 with Haaland. A little reckless but i thought he handled Haaland that day even if it was 45mins considering he had hardly played i was impressed.
I couldn’t believe some of the comedy gold various team selections being posted on here, prior to today’s game, just to keep Holding out.
Some nugget even suggested that KT fill in at centre halve – absolutely ridiculous.
Brilliant home win! 8 points clear ahead of the inter lull. Xx games won in a row.
Was dreading the new manager bounce but that was a fantastic performance. Been comfortably the best team in the league so far this season and we really played like it today!
How pissed Ramsdale would be to concede that. Would love him to win the golden globe this year. Would be a wonderful thing from him and shut up all those who have been calling him a “relegation keeper”.
Amazing achievement if he wins a golden globe no doubt
He’s making TV shows in his time off?
Hahahaha just seen my gaffe and laughing hard at your replies. Brilliant.
You sound like a pretty special character too.
not sure if his acting is that good, maybe Zaha
I’ll be stunned if he wins a golden globe, great keeper but his focus seems to be well and truly on football right now, I just don’t feel he’s putting enough into the acting to warrant any awards just yet.
The EGOT is his long term target, but he needs more theatre work 😀
He plays the pantomime villain oretty well to the oppo fans behind the goal.
He was quite compelling in that fish and chips advert, though calling Will Ferrell “wanker man” might have dimmed his Hollywood hopes funny as that was.
And 2 seasons ago many of us were so worried to hear the news that he was coming to us?! Boy am I wrong!! He is part of the turn around for us. The energy he brings to the team is amazing! And with Xhaka’s transformation and coolness of White and Saliba! I can go on and on… And Arteta….. oh my!
Europa was a distraction. That performance from Ben White was a middle finger to Southgate. 10 more games, oops, I mean finals. COYG!
Do we honestly think White gives a shit about playing for England?
I don’t think we will see him in an England shirt until Southgate is gone. Long may it continue.
Tierney was great when he came on 💪
We need to be rotating these guys into the team to keep them sharp and make sure everybody is used to playing together.
Agreed. Tierney especially it feels like has been used far too sparingly this season. There’s minutes for everyone in this squad.
What if I claimed Tierney is better suited to play against low block teams than zinny?
I dunno. Claim it and see what happens.
Love that’s he’s stepping straight into the zinny role recently. Shows his adaptability and willingness to do what’s required and asked.
Tierney is simply the victim of Arteta redefining a tactic and Zinchenko in how its implemented. Its sad because i think KT starts for every team bar us.
Huge win. Make no mistake about it. Would have loved a clean sheet but that’s just me being churlish. 10 more games to greatness. COYG!!!
We keep going, next after international break😍
Spring is in the air and the flowers are blooming. Happy Flowers, Gooners
Haha! Happy Flowers to you too bro!!!
COYG!!!! What a win. Didn’t seen none of it but living it thru all your comments ❤️
Wonderful 3 points. Pray Saliba is back for the big games. Holding will get murdered again against Haaland and liverpool too. He is very slow and so tries to get tight and either fouls or gets spun. I think Liverpool will get something at City, we will beat Leeds and be 10 or 11 clear having played a game more. Believe.
P.s play Tierney right back, he played few games for Scotland there and Play White alongside Gabriel if Saliba not fit.
Amen
Holding Worries me. Even that chance Zaha hit the post was from Holding getting too tight and leaving massive space at the back
Zaha causes problems for everybody though. He always seems really up for it against us.
He was rather iffy on 5-6 occasions. He’s also very slow. Was not at fault on their goal.
Think you should have a look at Rob’s stats for the natch before you make such a comment. Apart from the wilf effort Rob 91% pass completion including a 60yrd diagonal. 7/7 tackles nade 9/9 headers won 4/5 duels won
That wasn’t Holding Bro. It was Ben White. Holding is not a bad defender. He is just match rusty but does his bit professionally Everytime he’s called upon.
Never in any doubt.
Well done boys.
Eight clear.
Fuck you, City!! 😊🍺👍
COYG! Get some rest and get well soon boys! 10 more to go and you boys will always get our backing! Sorry that we did not keep the clean sheet for Ramsdale and the crew but we will have it in next game!
How good was Ben White today
His celebration with xhaka when they doubled on Zaha was a thing of raw beauty
I love that until they scored from the resulting corner kick. On replay I realise he could have controlled the ball better than the booting out for a corner. Well that me nitpicking after a good days work at the office.
Easily the 4th best English RB… apparently.
White was brilliant but he needlessly gave away the corner that Palace subsequently scored from. The way he just booted the ball out for a corner seemed like he was doing it to get a roar from the crowd.
I thought that was a rather stupid thing to do. Could’ve easily put it out for a throw in.
I must say i was pleasantly surprised by Holding’s performance. Think most of our squad players look miles better filling in and amongst our 1st teamers.
Xhaka deserves massive praise for his contribution he was superb today again ! My mom on Mother’s Day flowers all round Granit !!!
What is now making me smile & believing it can happen is that every damn one of them is positively contributing ! Today is a good day
Was I only one confused seeing Partey at right back?
Played rb at AM good job MA knew this eh?
I’m sure Rams is not very happy with White when he got pumped and booted that ball towards our goal, resulting in the corner we would concede from. He could have just nicked that ball cleanly. And he always seemed like one of the calmer and reserved ones. Ah. Guess we are all pumped up for what’s left. COYG! On a side note, I crossed a poll put forward by Goal, asking to know which the fans think is Arsenal’s most important player, and we had three of the nominated players around 30% (Partey, Saka, and Ode). Saliba and Zinny… Read more »
A week ago I was about to ask what has happened to Granit Xhaka goals. Perfect response from his last 2 games
I need to see Rob Holding lift a Premier League Title.
I want to see all the lads lift that trophy, but most of all Xhaka, Saka and Arteta.
Without question…But something about 2million Rob and his new barnet.
Out-Grealishing Jack Grealish.
Now let’s hope Liverpool an Klopp can do us a favour after the international break.
Having thumped the Manc Wanks 7-0, Liverpool will be up for it.
Let’s hope they smash City and then run out of steam by the time we get up there.
That White/Xhaka hug was peak this Arsenal team wrt spirit! Can’t imagine that with Gallas and Mustafi era teams. This team loves the club, the fans and each other; they don’t feel like mercenaries, they feel like they’re loving every minute.
I’m a grown a$$ man, but this team and the way that they’re playing this year, brings tears to my eyes.
Nothing wrong with that pal.
My kids are already running a book on when Dad will finally cave in.
’North London Forever’ has had me perilously close each time I hear it, but I think THE FINAL WHISTLE when it actually happens (when not if) plus North London Forever will probably do it – especially if I’ve had a few in the Tollington beforehand.