Given the history between the managers, Arsene Wenger and Sam Allardyce, one could have expected a feisty encounter at the Emirate on New Year’s Day. The duo has been involved in ‘not so friendly’ exchanges over the years and the mood was not expected to improve as Arsenal took on Crystal Palace.
Add in the fact that this was the 200th game at the Emirates, Arsenal fans could have been forgiven for expecting a favourable result. And the Gunners got 2017 off to a positive start establishing their intent from the first while.
On a drizzly, dark Emirates stadium, the Gunners’ attacking trio of Giroud, Sanchez and Iwobi were quick of the blocks and it was only a matter of time before they found the back of the net. Perez started ahead of Ozil, due to the German’s illness and looked to impress from the onset.
Giroud opened the scoring in the first half (more on that in the talking point) before Iwobi ensured the spoil of the points when he scored a well deserved second goal. Arsenal will be relieved with the win and the clean-sheet as well which ensured that they are still in the running for the title as well.
#1 Giroud and the wonder goal
“Wow”. That was the initial reaction as the ball hit the back of the net of the on-looking crowd at the Emirates. The same reaction applies to the author as well. As the replays aired repeatedly on the screen at the Emirates and on our television screens, one couldn’t help wowing once again.
The goal which was taken beautifully by the Frenchman set the mood at the Emirates. Palace started brightly but was rocked by a goal which was world class in every respect. After a Palace attack broke down at the edge of Arsenal’s box, they moved it quickly to Sanchez on the left who delivered a perfect cross.
Giroud was arriving languidly into the box and at the time it seemed that the ball was well behind him. But to the astonishment of the crowd, Giroud executed a perfect back flip heel/scorpion goal/rainbow flick (pick your option) with his left foot as the ball went in off the bar. Such was the quality of the goal; one could sense the immediate drop of the shoulders among the Palace players.
The beauty of the goal ensured that the entire stadium emitted a collective “oooh” when the replay was displayed on the Emirates big screen.
The French striker, when questioned about the goal at the end of the game, was humbly describing it as ‘luck’. And to be fair to Giroud, one has to appreciate the desire he showed to get into the box having started the move at the halfway line.
#2 Defensive mistakes – Big Sam’s biggest worry
For much of the game, Palace were error prone. The number of instances Palace almost self-imploded was difficult to keep a track of. And they finally paid the price when Iwobi was on hand to double the lead. Communication at times between the Palace players seemed to be non-existent as Townsend and Kelly almost ended up creating a goal for Sanchez.
Townsend had been involved in an earlier mix-up as well but made up for it in the second half when his cross almost found Cech unaware. Kelly almost handed a chance to Sanchez on a plate before his keeper, Hennessey made the save that ensured Palace went into the break only a goal down.
Whatever Big Sam said in the break didn’t seem to improve the concentration of the Palace players as they were back to their blundering selves in the second half. Scott Dann was the unlucky party as the ball ballooned off him to fall into Iwobi’s path.
Allardyce ‘s teams are often known for their defensive solidity and he will hope that the Eagles defence can quickly regroup before their next fixture against Swansea City. Palace will hope to win that fixture as they look to put some distance between themselves and the teams battling relegation.
#3 Iwobi and Elneny have a field day
Iwobi started off his year with a well-taken headed goal as he capitalised on a Palace error. To a certain extent, the goal had an element of luck in it as Monreal’s cross was blocked by Scott Dann. But to his horror, the ball went up in the air and continued to remain in play before Iwobi calmly headed it past the line in the far corner. The unfortunate Kelly could only head it against his own crossbar as the ball hit the back of the net.
Iwobi aside, the Egyptian Elneny was at the heart of every Arsenal move throughout the game. The Egyptian who will not be available for the next month because of his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations put in a shift. Elneny who replaced Coquelin in the line-up was at the heart of everything good and could have given his team the lead as early as the 7th minute only to see his shot blocked.
Arsene Wenger will hope that the rest of the team can put in the same kind of performances as the duo if they are to maintain their title challenge. Perez another surprise in the line-up was lively and does offer the Frenchman another dimension. With games coming thick and fast, Arsene will hope that the Spaniard continues in this vein.
#4 Building the belief necessary for the Eagles
Sam Allardyce did accept his team’s failings on the day and seemed irate at his team’s mistakes. However, he didn’t shy away from complimenting the Giroud goal which according to him was an outstanding piece of skill.
He did reiterate the missed chances, especially the opening stages in which Benteke’s header crept wide. Allardyce then went on to state some of the positives in the game for his team and how he believes that the current squad has the quality to safely avoid the relegation. However, Sam must be concerned about some of the player’s way of defending.
Zaha was one of the primary offenders failing to track back on a consistent basis. Other inconsistent performers on the night included the likes of Martin Kelly and the ex-Gunner, Flamini. Realising the futility of the effort, Allardyce wisely substituted the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Andros Townsend and Christian Benteke well before the end.
Allardyce’s Palace welcome Swansea on Tuesday and will hope for a better result if they are to get their Premier League campaign back on track. However, with Allardyce at the helm, Palace believes that they do have the right man in charge to ensure that they can avoid the dreaded relegation battle.
As Allardyce stated at the end of the game, “Our season won't be defined by results against the top six. What we do when we play the teams in the bottom half of the league will be the defining reason of whether or not we get out of the bottom half.”
#5 Will Arsenal be able to sustain their title charge?
Arsene Wenger couldn’t hide his delight after he was asked to describe Giroud’s goal.
Speaking after the game to BBC Sport, Arsene stated, “What is great for us is that it was at the end of a strong move and after that, it is down to reflex. It is not impossible to score but you must have the reflex. The cross doesn't come in ideally and you have to do something special and that is what Olivier did. I have been spoilt over the years with all the great strikers - Bergkamp, Henry. You remember them because they are linked with special goals. This will be the Giroud goal forever.”
The win ensured that Arsenal moved back to within 9 points of leaders Chelsea. It was also the first time this season that Arsenal has kept consecutive clean sheets at home. Arsenal began the day in fifth following Spurs’ 4-0 demolition of Watford earlier in the day.
And the pressure was on Arsenal to ensure that they are still in the running. Giroud’s goal was the perfect opener to a nervous encounter. And from then on it was a one-sided affair as Arsenal ended up dominating the game.
On loan Wilshire will not be allowed to play against his parent club Arsenal as they travel to Bournemouth and will hope to extend this winning run if they are to be taken as serious title contenders.
