#4 Crystal Palace are a menace on the flanks
The tactical identity of a Sam Allardyce team is always defined by their pace, physicality and defensive organisation. Throughout the game, Palace defended deep in numbers and then counter attacked with a front three.
For the whole 90 minutes, Andros Townsend and Wilfred Zaha terrorised the Arsenal full-backs in order to get to the by-line and cross. The wingers completed 8 and 4 take-ons respectively. The pair also whipped in 11 crosses between them, all aimed at the 6’3 frame of Christian Benteke.
Big Sam, even after the game, stated that Arsenal’s full-backs leave their defensive partners too exposed. So they decided to exploit the space left by them down the flanks over & over again. Oh, my oh my, when will Arsène Wenger learn.
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