Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Elneny, Xhaka, Iwobi, Alexis, Lucas, Giroud
Subs: Ospina, Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Coquelin, The Jeff, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain
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An astonishing first half goal from Olivier Giroud sent Arsenal on their way to a crucial 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at the Emirates today.
Arsene Wenger shuffled his pack with two games in 48 hours, and the Gunners were without the ill Mesut Ozil.
As expected the visitors sat deep to defend, but Arsenal had an early chance to go ahead in the 7th minute. Xhaka sent Monreal free down the left, the left-back put in a great ball but Giroud failed to make contact, and it just evaded Lucas Perez at the back post.
Alexis saw an effort fly not far wide, Iwobi’s 16th minute shot was saved by Hennessey, but a couple of minutes later we went ahead through an amazing goal from Giroud.
The Frenchman started the move with a flick in midfield, Arsenal worked it down the left, Giroud kept running into the box, Alexis crossed it behind him but he flicked it with his heel over his head and in off the crossbar! 1-0 – extra angles.
Mohamed Elneny shot wide as the game drifted into a kind of lull, Alexis had another go but again curled his effort wide of the post, while at the other end Cabaye’s attempt from outside the box was easy for Petr Cech.
Hennessey saved again from Alexis as the first period drew to a close, and after Palace failed to clear their lines the Chilean should probably have doubled the lead but saw his shot saved by the feet of the keeper.
There were no changes from either manager at the break, and there was an early scare from Palace when Benteke ought to have made more a good chance at the back post, but his header was poor and the ball drifted harmlessly wide.
A smart run from Lucas provided him a sight of goal but his shot from a clever Alexis pass deflected wide. From the resulting corner Sanchez had a goalbound shot blocked by Scott Dann.
The Gunners were pressing for a second goal and in the 56th minute it arrived. A low Monreal cross was cleared, the ball bounced up in the air, Iwobi was first to react and he looped a header over the keeper and the defender could only head it onto the bar and in. 2-0.
It sparked some life into Palace who, after carelessly being given a corner, forced Cech into a number of saves. He stopped a Benteke header from the set-piece, then got back to stop Cabaye’s shot after he’d punched the ball clear, and finally standing up well to a strong effort from Townsend.
Zaha fired over as Palace enjoyed their best spell of the game, but Arsenal got back on top. Bellerin and Lucas combined well down the right, Xhaka had a shot deflected wide, and Arsene Wenger made his first changes of the day bringing on Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin for Elneny and Lucas in the 71st minute.
That was followed by the introduction of Oxlade-Chamberlain for Iwobi, just after Sanchez had hit the wall with a free kick. The Arsenal number 7’s cross for Giroud was missed by the Frenchman but almost went beyond the keeper who had to stick out a hand to stop it.
Monreal picked up an 83rd minute booking for a foul on Zaha, Oxlade-Chamberlain added some drive and put in a couple of good balls from the right hand side which Palace dealt with to prevent the lead extending further.
Ramsey fired a shot not far wide as the game entered its final minutes, Xhaka’s free kick from the right deflected over, Ox was denied by Hennessey after a good Alexis pass, but in the end Arsenal took the three points and we saw a goal that will be replayed for years to come.
Wow!!!!!! I could replay that goal 1000 times. Giroud really has an incredible touch for a “lumbering striker”. Not to mention, he played an important role in the build up to that outrageous goal. Love him or hate him, you gotta admit that he is a bloody good scorer of goals and important ones this season to boot. The skill sets that he possess for the type of striker he is makes him one of a kind. Last week – Mkhitaryan scores a “scorpion goal” and causes a frenzy in the media. This week – Oliver Giroud: “What’s the big… Read more »
Giroud’s goal was better and also legal.
and I never heard the term Scorpion Kick until today!
Henrik’s cross from Ibra was a little harder, but Giroud beat the goalie on the near side and into the top corner! It’s close, but Giroud’s is better 🙂
Never saw this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRj3dKKp9tI
thanks for the link…Higitta’s was a scorpion kick, Giroud’s was not…at the risk of sounding pedantic, Giroud did a back-healed volley…the most difficult to achieve…a thing of beauty which should be preserved for future generations of Gooners (and other types) as an example of how football should be played and how a player can sometimes cross the line between craftsmanship and pure art…specially since he had a silky touch in the build-up…I have been smiling like a village idiot all afternoon…
back-heeled even…I’m sure Giroud’s back needed healing after that wonderful effort…
In France it’s called an “aile de pigeon” or pigeon wing which doesn’t have quite the same ring to it…
One of the best goals I’ve seen! You could tell he meant it, too.
I like Perez a lot. But really needs to learn to use his right foot a lot more. Makes him very predictable when he’s constantly just using his left foot.
Great performance overall though!
Good performance but I wouldn’t call it great. We were we too sloppy and complacent in the second half, there were too many stray passes and all Palace needed was a goal to give us a right scare. Chelsea or Liverpool would’ve won with a 4 goal margin.
We didn’t play with 100% intensity after the second goal which is smart as the next match comes so quickly. Can’t believe people are complaining after such a win. Thought we were solid.
I’m not complaining, I enjoyed it as much as you did. Yes it’s smart to lower the intensity after going 2 goals up, but as long as you make sure you don’t give your opposition enough chances to get back into the game.
I agree with your comments but I also understand the next game is soooo close,we need to kill games off a bit quicker sometimes when we score,we tend to sit back after we score!!
Bring on Bournemouth
Slightly conjectural, no? You can’t guarantee they would have done so.
I get what you’re saying, though. We seemed to go a little flat in both halves after we’d scored.
Very much agree with this. 3 points are to be celebrated. Giroud scored one of the all-time great Premier League goals. I love every bit of it. But we lack the intensity needed over 90 minutes. We invite opposition into games.
Wenger mentioned that about Lucas earlier in the season. He is in need of a goal. As is Ramsey. I feel we are going to need fringe players to start performing if we are going to win the title.
I’ve seen him described as a midfielder in a striker’s body. I’m going with “artist in a footballer’s body”.
giroud’s the best ‘lumbering’ striker in the world. His link-up play rivals that of some of the best strikers in the world
His flicks rival the best of all time IMO. Based on just his flicks he’s up there with Bergkamp for me.
can’t agree more
Sexy Giroud with a sexy finish!
Omg it’s more Sex than I Can Take in 90 minutes. 🙂
Good solid performance, shows the squad depth we have. Iwobi did well in Ozil’s absence, think we have the replacement lined up. But Giroud’s goal – chance to be the best of the season and 2017?
giroud’s goal was incredible. but his touch leading up to the goal was almost as good.
Well played lots of great performances but I really think Elneny is quality.
Agreed, thought he was the best player on the pitch, his through balls were brilliant workrate and pressing good too. Deserves to start on Tue.
Holy shit Giroud
Your namesake was a bit shit today wasn’t he? I think Elneny was better, but that’s just me.
I thought the Flam did us proud me.
Such a sad day for bromance. The first time we face Flamini, the freaking universe (or maybe cheeky Wenger) leaves Ozil out of the team completely!
That was pretty comfortable in the end, but they did make us work for it. Hopefully it hasn’t taken too much out of the players.
Gabriel looked hurt from a challenge at the end. I was happy that we controlled the game and seemed to rest for the last 10-15 mins.
How great was Ox when he came on? Should have had at least an assist on the amazing cross.
Ollie G ftmw!
Oh Flamini, ‘let me fake defend and miss the ball so brother Giroud could put it in’
Oh Flamini you cheeky saviour of the environment <3
Speaking of Flam, he just suffered one of his rare losses at the Emirates !
‘Lamppost Giroud’ looks pretty fuckin flexible to me.
Also Xhaka was fucking excellent. COYG!
Great dummy by the Flamster for Giroud’s goal and he also didn’t kick anybody. Love you Flam…x
Yeah,,,lol…he probably forgot which jersey he was wearing?
what a devastating counter.
Was that two flicks from Giroud? One setting up the run that lead to him being set up for the flick that went in? One or two it was fucking beautiful!
Amazingly wondrous strike by Oli! Wenger asked for spectacularity and Giroud has promptly answered the call. What a goal! Very glad Iwobi added his goal for a 2 goal cushion. Onwards and upwards!
Of course Ozil was not in the lineup because it would be too much emotionally to put him against his BFF. He would be in tears, Flamini would be in tears, the entire stadium would be in tears. Of course we’d still win though
It was good to see Flamini again.
After the game Flam was seen heading to Ozil’s place with chicken soup…bless him
And vaporub as well.. Best to stop there though.
Ozil who? we hardly missed him. Which is not to knock Ozil, it is better if we are not dependent on him.
Giroud, Iwobi and Elneny looked really solid today. Judging by the subs all of them will start against Bournemouth. Monreal also looks a lot better when he has Alexis helping out on the wing. A dominant display, Xhaka/Elneny/Iwobi midfield impressed. Lucas had an up and down match but could be an asset as he is fresh (not played too much this season yet)
Nice comfortable win, with a very good performance to boot. Could you do that all the time Arsenal, pretty please? 😉 It’s a shame Xhaka couldn’t have come off at some point. He was looking tired in the last 10 minutes to me (having been very good all game up to that point in my opinion) and he has to play on Tuesday with no Santi available. Other thoughts: Bellerin excellent today, Elneny very tidy and kept the game moving, Alexis hard-working as ever and Iwobi lively. I’d like to see Lucas on the left as I think he struggled… Read more »
Now that’s what I call World Class!
Loved that Giroud goal. Goal of the season. It’s going take something special to beat that.
Good disciplined performance and another clean sheet.
Happy.
There is no such thing as a “Plan B”. Giroud has scored 8 goals in his last 6 starts! Per games played, he is one of our most proficient strikers ever. He is an artiste in and around the box. His touch can be frustrating at times but more often than not articulate. So much for the “Lack of pace” nonsense. Who needs pace when you can do that!:D Excellent hustle today as well. And good game by Granit. Excellent passing range. He is an exceptional buy like Mustafi. Lucas will need a bit more time to work in.As I… Read more »
For a big lanky lumbering forward to adjust his body to execute such a glorious scorpion kick is incredible. Giroud seems to have a lot in his locker against palace. He also volleyed in a spectacular scissor kick whilst falling over in an away game in 2014/15 season
My word! I’m still in shock about that goal… cant believe it went in. Well done Ollie G!
The Arsenal way is the Classy way.. Absolutely sensational strike of Oliver giroud.
A very vital win but the performance wasn’t impressive. After the first goal, the intensity of the game dropped. I expected more goals in the game. This is a kind of games we need more goals.
Awesome strike from the big man and a good all round team performance.
Next up Bournemouth watching them on match of the day it looks like Jack is pulling all the strings for them. Thankfully can’t play against us though. Two days break is a bit of a piss take though.
That might be the best Arsenal goal I’ve ever seen. Right up there with Wilshere vs. Norwich and Bergkamp vs. Newcastle. Absolutely stunning!
Great effort from the whole team today. We controlled the match pretty much from beginning to end, we rotated the team well, everybody put in a shift, and it was very comfortable. Hope Walcott and Ozil are back ready for Tuesday.
That handsome, handsome man!!
Not as good as Charlie George in 71 cup final but OG’s brilliant back-heel was totally awesome. Pse beat Bournemouth and Swans away to stay in hunt. Kick the ball in the goal any which way you can. Xhaka was huge and Gabriel looked sharper. The Ox, Rambo etc as back ups. COYG
Added bonus is that when we rewatch this for the rest of our lives we will see the ball looping over Flamini’s head.
typical giroud style, haven’t you been watching?