Match Review: Arsenal 2 Crystal Palace 0 - Premier League 02.02.14
After the madness of the transfer window, finally we were able to enjoy some actual football. Arsenal took the chance to return to the top of the table as they despatched a stubborn Palace side. Amidst a frosty atmosphere at the Emirates stadium, the team did what they’ve been doing all season, winning. Another comfortable victory against one of the lower placed teams in the league and ahead of what was dubbed ‘Oil Cashico’, the Gunners ensured that they made a gain on both Chelsea and Man City.
With a lack of midfield options through suspension and injury, Arsenal started with an unfamiliar midfield pair in Arteta and Chamberlain, whilst Podolski finally started a game and Gnabry dropped to the bench. Former Arsenal man Marouane Chamakh lined up for the opposition, who also had everyone’s favourite cap wearing cretin, Tony Pulis, in the dugout. We all know what to expect from a Tony Pulis side and we most certainly got it.
Crystal Palace became the latest in a long line of teams, including Chelsea, to come to the Emirates and ‘park the bus’. Cameron Jerome lined up as a lone striker, with Chamakh playing off him in the number 10 role. The rest of the Palace team formed two orderly lines and dug a trench. So Arsenal, as usual, controlled the possession and probed for openings. The passing looked crisp and intricate, but as ever, we were finding the final ball a little tricky. Palace did their job well and credit to them. Let’s not forget that they held mighty, all conquering, pillars of footballing integrity, Man City at the Etihad for a good 60 minutes and only lost by a single goal.
Our first opening came about eight minutes in, when Mesut Özil chipped a beautiful pass over the top of the defence, but Monreal was denied by Speroni, who rushed off his line to block the Spaniard’s effort. Up the other end, Chamakh nearly embarrassed Koscielny as he showed surprising pace to get by the defender, but his touch was too heavy and Szczesny was alert to gather the ball. Apart from that, the first half was all Arsenal. Often we would find our way to the edge of the area or even inside it, only to be frustrated at the last moment. Twice Özil’s freekicks found an Arsenal head in the box, but one forced an excellent save from Speroni and the other looped gently into his arms. With the crowd growing increasingly restless, the score remained 0-0 at half time.
I was not worried by the lack of goals in the first half. Crystal Palace showed little interest in attacking and Arsenal were playing some lovely stuff. As ever, it was simply a matter of time before we made the breakthrough and it didn’t take much of it in the second half. Barely two minutes had elapsed when Santi Cazorla chipped an exquisite through ball for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and he showed brilliant composure to first control the ball and then dink it over the keeper into the far corner. It was a beautiful goal to behold and thoroughly deserved. The dynamism of Chamberlain worked well and it’s what we need with Arteta sitting and distributing.
We nearly lost the lead as quickly as we’d gained it though. It was nearly a horrifying repeat of Southampton’s second goal from widweek. The back four ended up along their own six yard line and the midfield didn’t get back in time, leaving a huge space in the area. Bolasie, who had an excellent game, exploited this space and flicked a header to the back post for Cameron Jerome. It seemed a certain goal but Szczesny somehow got across to save the diving header and spare Monreal’s blushes. A real let off and superb work from our number one.
The game was a bit of a bore from then on. Palace didn’t have an attack mode and Arsenal weren’t showing huge urgency to get the second, so there was a bit of a lull until the 73rd minute. Chamberlain continued his good form in the game, producing a gorgeous back heel to beat his man and find Giroud. The striker performed his signature move, holding off his marker and flicking the ball round the corner for Chamberlain to run on to. The midfielder sped forward into the box and fired a low shot that Speroni couldn’t quite keep out. The familiar 2-0 scoreline signalled game over and another three points for the Arsenal at home. We’ve only dropped seven points at home all season and it’s also our sixth 2-0 win at home in the league. These games are becoming routine for us, which is brilliant and shows the consistency and professionalism that this team is capable. The next challenge is how they will cope in the big games, say four of them in eleven days perhaps?
Stat of the game
Arsenal completed 717 passes with a success rate of 91%. We also had 73% possession (via Stat Zone)
Teams
Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Szczesny, Mertesacker ■, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Chamberlain, Cazorla, Özil (Gibbs 84’), Podolski (Rosicky 72’), Giroud (Bendtner 84’)
Subs
Fabianski, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Rosicky, Bendtner, Gnabry, Zelalem
Crystal Palace (4-4-1-1)
Speroni, Gabbidon, Ward, Delaney ■, Parr, Bolasie, Puncheon, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Chamakh ■ (Gayle 82’), Jerome (Bannan 56’)
Subs
Mariappa, McCarthy, Gayle, Hennessey, Wilbraham, Guédioura, Bannan
Player Ratings
Szczesny - 8/10 - Made two very important stops when he could have easily switched off
Sagna - 7/10 - Yet another solid, professional performance
Mertesacker - 7/10 - Wall
Koscielny - Wall pt. 2
Monreal - 6/10 - Was better than he was on Tuesday, but still didn’t look his best
Arteta - 7/10 - Solid, metronomic and absolutely vital for the coming games
Chamberlain - 8/10 - Very effective in the central role and took his goals superbly
Podolski - 6/10 - Fairly quiet, didn’t really get involved, but did track back when needed
Özil - 7/10 - Hopefully will put in some big performances over the next four games
Cazorla - 7/10 - Another busy performance, one stunning assist and one piece of stunning control
Giroud - 6/10 - Had a bit of an off day, but wasn’t terrible
Subs
Rosicky - 7/10 - He will have a vital role to play in the coming weeks
Gibbs - N/A
Bendtner - N/A
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