Arsenal return to top four with win over Palace

Arsenal's recent run of form, excluding a defeat to a team we shan't mention has been particularly good of late and the win over Palace on Saturday afternoon only reaffirmed our credentials in the race for the top four. This weekend was near perfect for the Gunners though as Cazorla and Giroud sealed a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park whilst Spurs, Manchester United and Southampton all dropped points. Although it wasn't the most important of London derbies we'll play this season it was still crucial that we got the win, but it wasn't perhaps as comfortable as first thought. We were pegged back late on but still managed to hold on to leap to third place in the table. Wenger named a slightly changed team from the win over Middlesbrough in the cup; Coquelin and Mertesacker returned to the starting line-up, as Chambers came in for Bellerin. Jack Wilshere was meanwhile back on the bench after 3 months out.

Olivier Giroud scored his 50th goal for the club in the win over Palace

The nature of the game was quite a weird one, especially the opening exchanges. The officials didn't have a great start and there seemed to be a few wrong decisions all over the place. Ozil should not have been offside at one point when he had proceeded to score, and then Coquelin should have been booked for a high foot. Monreal looked to have committed a foul down the left and the decision for the penalty with which our first goal came from was marginal. The original challenge from Souare looked to be right on the edge of the area but Welbeck fell into the area and the penalty was given. It was a debatable decision but nonetheless Santi Cazorla scored to keep his fine run going.

Crystal Palace have been in good form under Alan Pardew and against us they showed that. They did also show signs of their poor form at home this season. Both of which were shown in the ways that they attacked and defended. Palace have the players that can trouble teams and through Gayle and Zaha down the wings they had that. They didn't have the final ball though and that's why they rarely actually troubled Ospina. Bolasie came on late on and caused further problems, and he is where their late burst of pressure came from. He created a chance for Gayle who headed over and his delivery found Murray who hit the post with virtually the last phase of play in the match. Murray however had got one back a few minutes later.

It was a soft goal to concede though having failed to clear the ball. We had managed to clear a lot of balls away throughout the game and therefore it was disappointing not to get rid of the ball on this occasion. With all the bodies in there we should not have conceded but Murray popped up to find the net from short range. It was a very poor final few minutes, and after Wenger had put Gibbs and Gabriel on for his League debut we now had 6 defenders on the pitch. Because of that we should have been able to see the game out more comfortably than we did. Luckily Olivier Giroud had scored on the stroke of half time otherwise it would've been two points dropped.

Olivier Giroud has been in a rich vein of form recently and is starting to score on a consistent basis; he now has 8 in his last 11 whilst the one against Palace was his 50th in Arsenal colours. It was perhaps one of the most simple out of the 50 though, pouncing on a save from Speroni to fire into an empty net. It's particularly good to see him converting chances at a regular rate compared to previous seasons where he's been frustrating in front of goal.

Danny Welbeck was the man whose shot was saved and he made himself busy all game, winning the penalty too. I had originally wanted Theo Walcott to start, and although he looks more threatening in front of goal, Welbeck proved me wrong in terms of his performance against Palace. I criticised him a little after last week's win but what he lacks in composure he makes up for in his running and work rate. He's full of vim and that is very encouraging to see as along with Sanchez, he produces the full backs with a lot of support.

It's worth also touching on the performance of Mesut Ozil. He's been talked about a lot recently, and for all the right reasons. His form has been exceptional and although he didn't score or assist he showed what he could do with the new found strength he has; ushering the ball out of play and even winning a header which came off the bar. He also lead a brilliant break away which we were unlucky not to score from. He flicked the ball over the defender before finding Sanchez who fired inches wide of the target.

It was a good win to continue the momentum we have and of course for our bid for Champions League football next season. Our next game is in fact in that competition as we face Monaco at the Emirates in the first leg of our last 16 tie with them on Wednesday.

The team's line-ups:

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare, Zaha, Ledley(79), Mutch, Puncheon, Gayle(79), Campbell(57).
Subs: Hennessey, Hangeland, Kelly, Jedinak, Bolasie(57), Murray(79), Ameobi(79).

Arsenal: Ospina, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Welbeck(76), Ozil(76), Sanchez(89), Giroud.
Subs: Szczesny, Gabriel(89), Gibbs(76), Bellerin, Wilshere, Rosicky(76), Walcott.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg.
Attendance: 24,721.

Late Ramsey goal ensures opening day victory

Arsenal were made to work to ensure they came out of their opening Premier League fixture of the season with a win. Crystal Palace were Saturday's opponents who after Tony Pulis was sacked two days before the season got underway, didn't have a manager. Many predicted because of that the Gunners would steamroller their opponents but it was far from comfortable. Crystal Palace took the lead through a corner before Koscielny equalised and then Ramsey scored a real poachers goal deep into injury time. Arsenal were unchanged from the Community Shield as Sanchez, Debuchy and Chambers were all given league debuts for the club. Yaya Sanogo meanwhile continued up front.

Aaron Ramsey's late goal rescued all three points for the Gunners

Compared to last season's opening day, a game which we lost 3-1, the weekend saw a vast improvement. That improvement wasn't really something to be admired though. It was a slow performance with little attacking penetration. If you look at the win over Manchester City the weekend before there was a lot of interchanging passes on the edge of the area but against Palace they made that difficult as they remained solid at the back and gave us little chance to play the one-two's we find so effective.

All that was proved by the goals we scored. After having gone behind to poor marking to allow Hangeland to head home, Arsenal's first goal also came from a set-piece. Alexis Sanchez floated in a free-kick and Koscielny got free of his marker to flick home the Gunners first goal of the new campaign. The second came after a bit of a goal mouth scramble. Koscielny and Giroud both got up well to keep possession and then Debuchy saw an effort saved. The ball however rebounded to Aaron Ramsey who couldn't miss as Arsenal won the game with a matter of moments left.

Arsenal's late surge was helped by a red card to Jason Puncheon. Earlier in the second half he'd been booked for challenge through the back of Ramsey but then saw red for a clumsy challenge on Nacho Monreal. Monreal had originally been on the bench but due to yet another injury to Kieran Gibbs the Spaniard came on. Nacho had had a good start to life at Arsenal but he struggled for any real consistency last season but when he did come on against Palace he looked assured and gave Arsenal another dimension down the left hand side. Is the curse of the dreaded number 18, which he now wears, finally over? Only time will tell.

There weren't many standout performances but Mathieu Debuchy once again gave Arsenal fans a reason to be happy. There were doubts when Sagna left but Debuchy has been brilliant so far and we haven't missed his fellow Frenchman at all. He's showing clear reasons as to why he's been the preferred choice at right back for the French national side and long may his fine performances continue. He already looks very committed and his passion is second to none. His celebration with Monreal after Ramsey scored backs up that point. He's certainly already one of us despite only playing two competitive games for the club.

Calum Chambers has been thrown right in at the deep end since his move from Southampton but once again slotted straight in at centre back and looked assured. Perhaps not as assured as in recent weeks but his performance was still of a high caliber and he looks the real deal. Koscielny meanwhile saved us on a couple of occasions and apart from the goal we conceded the defence didn't really look in much trouble.

The midfield weren't as good as we expect from them but Wilshere especially is beginning to find his level again. There were instances when Arsenal struggled to keep hold of the ball and that'll have to be improved in the weeks coming. Against the bigger sides it'll be punished and it almost was when Arteta gave the ball away a few times in the Community Shield. Yaya Sanogo it's fair to say has been given his fair share of opportunities but despite scoring four relatively simple goals in the Emirates Cup against Benfica, he was poor against City last week and again against Palace. Giroud gave us something different when he came on and hopefully he'll start to play regularly now he's built up his match fitness.

Next up is a tough away trip to Besiktas for the first leg of our Champions League qualifier before we face Everton away from home next weekend.

The team's line-ups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Debuchy, Chambers, Koscielny, Gibbs(53), Arteta, Wilshere(69), Ramsey, Sanchez, Cazorla, Sanogo(62).
Subs: Martinez, Monreal(53), Coquelin, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain(69), Campbell, Giroud(62). 

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Kelly, Dann(75), Hangeland, Ward, Ledley, Jedinak, Puncheon, Bolasie(90), Chamakh, Campbell(85).
Subs: Hennessey, McCarthy, O'Keefe(90), Delaney(75), Bannan, Gayle(85), Murray.

My man of the match: Mathieu Debuchy.

Referee: Jonathon Moss.
Attendance: 59,962.

Chamberlain double helps Arsenal to win over Palace

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain marked his return from injury in perfect fashion as he scored two goals to ensure Arsenal beat Crystal Palace on Sunday. It the was the Ox's first league start since picking up an injury in August. The win meant we returned to the top of the Premier League, and with Chelsea and Man City playing each other on Monday night, it was vitally important to get the points. That was especially after Spurs, Liverpool and United all dropped points. It was again far from our best performance but we got the job done again as we won 2-0 for the tenth time at the Emirates this season. There were two changes from the side that drew to Southampton in the week as Lukas Podolski replaced Serge Gnabry out-wide. Meanwhile Oxlade-Chamberlain came in for the suspended Flamini.

The Ox popped up with two goals as Arsenal beat Palace

Recently we've had trouble actually scoring in the first half and it's led to a professional second halves display on many occasions. That was the story once more on Sunday. Palace were extremely hard to break down in the first half and the fact that our two best chances came from set-pieces was a credit to them. However the second half saw more penetration from the midfield and wide players.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain burst forward from central midfield to get on the end of a Cazorla pass to fire home the first just after the break. Santi's form has been brilliant since the turn of the year and his ball was perfectly measured. The Ox took one touch before then lifting the ball over the keeper for his first of the season. Chamberlain was to then wrap up the points for us. He played a lovely one-two with Giroud before racing in on goal and then finding the net with an assured finish from just inside the box. He now has as many goals this season as he did in the whole of the last campaign.

This season the midfielders have all scored their fair share of goals. Ramsey was banging them in at the start of the season, and then it was Wilshere's turn. However with both of them now out injured it was the Ox's turn to score the goals. He wasn't playing in his preferred position but Wenger certainly sees his future more centrally than outwide.

The defence meanwhile put in another brilliant display. At times they were tested but Szczesny made some key saves to keep us in front. The Pole really has been brilliant this season when called upon. Meanwhile Mertesacker and Koscielny again asserted their dominance. The way Per managed to just nick the ball off of some of the Palace players feet was incredible. His anticipation and reading of the game is up there with the very best. Sagna meanwhile just has to get a new contract. After a dodgy campaign last term, he's been back to his solid best this season. Nacho Monreal had a tough time in the week against Southampton but against Palace yesterday showed why he is keeping Gibbs out of the side at the moment with a solid display.

Vermaelen, Flamini, Wilshere, Ramsey, Diaby, Kallstrom, Walcott and Sanogo were all missing from the squad which shows that we can win without some of our best players. Something that has seemed to be a key theme of our campaign so far. However the likes of Wilshere and Ramsey, who will be back hopefully very soon, will be key in the run in. 

Following this game against Palace we now have an extremely tough run where we face Liverpool twice, Man United and also Bayern Munich. Anymore injuries and I think we could really struggle. We have the potential to beat all of those teams but it'll be extremely difficult. The fixture list is a nightmare and we'll have to be at our very best if we're to come out on top.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Ozil(84), Podolski(72), Giroud(84).
Subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Gibbs(84), Zelalem, Rosicky(72), Gnabry, Bendtner(84). 

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ward, Parr, Delaney, Gabbidon, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Bolasie, Puncheon, Chamakh(83), Jerome(56).
Subs: Hennessey, Mariappa, McCarthy, Guedioura, Bannan(56), Gayle(83), Wilbraham. 

My man of the match: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Referee: Jon Moss.
Attendance: 60,005. 

Ten men Arsenal beat Crystal Palace to stay top

Arsenal against relegation threatened Crystal Palace. A game that should've been as one sided as a game of football could get. Palace had only won one game all season whilst Arsenal had only lost once in the League. However it was far from a thrashing as Crystal Palace caused Arsenal problems and weren't clinical whilst the Gunners fired home twice, despite having a man sent off. The win ensured they remained on top of the Premier League. With a tough run of games coming up the win added extra significance and it was a surprise to see a fully strength team out, some of the players looked absolutely shattered at full time. Chelsea on Tuesday in the League Cup will be a good chance to rest a few players with Liverpool coming up next weekend.

Mikel Arteta scored from the spot but was later sent off

Having lost in the week for only the second time in 25 games it was a real test of character for the side but they did well to bounce back and showed the brilliant spirit these bunch of players have. Arsenal had really missed Mathieu Flamini in the week but he was back in the starting line-up for this game, albeit for only 8 minutes. He went off with a groin problem leaving a hole in the middle of the park. Serge Gnabry came on and did well but he was out wide which left Ramsey and Arteta in the holding roles. Arsenal had dominated the first ten minutes but when Flamini went off Palace stepped their game up.

Marouane Chamakh was back against his old club for Palace and he was finding space and was holding the ball up well. He had a chance from the edge of the area which was saved by Szczesny and then he had a brilliant chance to head home from 6 yards out but he failed to make contact with the ball. The hole that had been left by the departing Flamini was evident as that was where the home side's pressure was predominantly coming from.

As the first half drew to a close Palace were looking the most likely to score, Arsenal were sloppy in and around the penalty area and the short passes they'd been allowed to do against Norwich were not coming off against a tightly knitted Palace defence.

Serge Gnabry was very lively when he came on. He could've won a penalty at the end of the first half but the referee deemed it to be just outside when replays showed that it was just inside. A tough call but the referee made up for it right at the start of the second half. Serge Gnabry cut back and was then brought down by a silly challenge from Guedioura. All of Palace's hard work in the first half had been undone as Arteta cooly dispatched his penalty. 

The game was to then turn again just after the hour mark. Crystal Palace cleared the ball down field from a corner and Chamakh found himself in acres of space. Arteta raced back and as Chamakh pushed the ball in front of him he leant into the Arsenal skipper resulting in a tangle of legs. The referee deemed the challenge to be worthy of a red card and the man that had opened the scoring was sent off. A debatable call as Chamakh still had 40 odd yards to run to goal and Ramsey was tracking back too. Wenger would make 2 changes to combat the red card. Gnabry was brought off having come on in the first half and Wilshere came on. Meanwhile Monreal replaced Santi Cazorla.

Cue a moment of brilliance and a match winning display from Wojciech Szczesny which earned him man of the match. Joel Ward hit a powerful effort which had Szczesny at full stretch to get fingertips to the ball to send it against the bar. From the resulting corner the ball came out to Jedinak who hit a brilliant volley which the Polish keeper made an outstanding save to keep his side in front. Szczesny has been criticised a lot this year for a lack of confidence as Arsenal searched for a new keeper this summer. He had a spell out of the team for Fabianski last season, however this performance, with a clean sheet will have done his confidence a world of good. A display that asserted himself as the number one at the club.

Crystal Palace were desperate for an equalising goal but in the process were hit on the counter attack as Arsenal scored their second to wrap up all three points. Two of Arsenal's star men this season combined as Ramsey dinked the ball into Giroud who headed home from close range. Having had a run of games without scoring it was a welcome sight to see the Frenchman score in midweek against Dortmund and in the league against Palace.

Overall it wasn't a highly convincing performance but the Gunners were solid at the back and grabbed only their second clean sheet of the season, the other one coming against Spurs. A win is a win and it showed that Arsenal were capable of winning even when they're not at their best.

The teams lineups:

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ward, Delaney, Gabbidon, Moxey, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Bannan(77), Guedioura(72), Thomas(57), Chamakh.
Subs: Price, Mariappa, O'Keefe, Kebe(72), Puncheon, Bolasie(57), Gayle(77).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Flamini(8), Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla(72), Giroud.
Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal(72), Wilshere(69), Rosicky, Gnabry(8)(69), Bendtner. 

My man of the match: Wojciech Szczesny.

Referee: Chris Foy.
Attendance: 20,050.