Final Score: Crystal Palace 2-3 Arsenal
Arsenal survived some nervy moments towards the end of a thrilling game to come out victorious against a Crystal Palace side that put in a decent performance at home. The game ended 3-2 in favour of Arsenal, after the Gunners took a 3-1 lead, thanks to Alexis Sanchez’s brilliance.
The opening 10 minutes of the game was a dull affair with the ball being sprayed around in the midfield area. Initially though, it was Palace who were looking dangerous in the final third, with Arsenal keeping the ball in the midfield, looking for an opening. Granit Xhaka’s effort went agonizingly close over the crossbar in the 9th minute and it looked like the Swiss international was going to have a good game, which he did. Cabaye then had a couple of shots on goal, but to no use.
Eventually, Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when Mustafi coolly slotted the ball into the net after Speroni had parried a Lacazette shot away. Arsenal then created a couple of chances through some good moves but the first half ended at 1-0 with the Gunners deservingly in lead.
The second half saw them concede the equaliser when Zaha got one-on-one with Chambers to beat him and cut back into the box to find an unmarked Townsend, who fired the ball low into the corner to make it 1-1. Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend were looking absolutely top notch and the goal had to come from them.
Arsenal responded well and burst into life with two quickfire goals from Sanchez, one in the 62nd minute, and the other in the 66th.
Lacazette set the ball up inside the box after receiving it from Sanchez himself, with the latter putting his laces through to send the ball flying past a hopeless Speroni who got a touch on the ball. Wilshere then sent an amazing long ball to Sanchez who took a touch and slotted it past Speroni into the bottom corner of the net. Alexis was looking far from his best in the first period, but he certainly didn’t in the second.
Palace then gave Arsenal a scare as they converted a corner routine to make it 3-2, with Tomkins heading the ball into the net.
However, Arsenal held on to their lead and saw the game off, to claim what was only their 3rd away win of the season. Here’s how the Arsenal players fared on the night.
Arsenal Player Ratings
Petr Cech – 6/10
Cech didn’t have much to do, although 2 goals were conceded. He wasn’t tested too much by the Palace attackers.
Calum Chambers – 6.5/10
Chambers had a decent game, to be honest. He looked defensively sound and was on his toes all game, except when he let Zaha go past him for Palace’s equaliser.
Shkodran Mustafi – 8/10
Mustafi was brilliant. He held his fort well and was tight. Was vocal on the pitch and put in a strong display at the back. Scored the first goal of the game to give Arsenal the lead.
Laurent Koscielny – 6/10
The Arsenal skipper was nowhere near his usual self. A forgettable outing for the Frenchman as he was sloppy on certain occasions.
Hector Bellerin – 5.5/10
Will this guy ever learn to cross or pass the ball well in promising situations? He was defensively good but should have done better in the opposition half when he got a few good chances.
Jack Wilshere – 8/10
Wilshere kept things flowing in midfield and it was another brilliant game from the Arsenal No.10. Laid the assist for Sanchez’s 2nd goal and looked lively.
Granit Xhaka – 7.5/10
Xhaka had a relatively good outing when compared to his previous performances this season. He had time on the ball and used it well to pass it to Wilshere and others, who were available in spaces.
Sead Kolasinac – 7/10
The Bosnian Hulk got forward well and kept a close watch of Andros Townsend, who was looking dangerous. Combined well with Alexis Sanchez on the left.
Mesut Ozil – 6.5/10
The German wasn’t at his usual best but it wasn’t a bad performance from him either. Got a couple of chances which he should have scored.
Alexis Sanchez – 9/10
Alexis looked lost in the first half except for one pass to put Ozil through. But he burst on to life in the second and ran riot to give Arsenal a 3-1 lead. A brilliant performance on the whole, except that he lost possession of the ball too many times.
Alexandre Lacazette – 6.5/10
Worked really, really hard. Put in a good shift and showed glimpses of his brilliance. Looked frustrated at being taken off in the 75th minute.
Subs
Francis Coquelin – 6/10
Was sent on to solidify the midfield further and did his job well.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – N/A
Replaced Xhaka in the 87th minute, who seemed to pick up a groin injury.