Mark Gardiner returns with his detailed match reports, as Arsenal defeat Crystal Palace in a close 2-1 tie.
Like the Premier League’s new handicap – Leicester start with 6 points, we have 3 and Arsenal have none... What do you mean we’ve played a game already! Did warn you the b*ggers would lose when I returned.
It is always dangerous when Palace fans’ expectations are raised; the usual result is a home defeat by Shrewsbury (that’s just 9 days away now). Some wise spending in the close season, although I’d like another top central defender, and no key players lost to richer clubs. An excellent result at Carrow Road combined with Arsenal & Cech slipping up against the Hammers led some of us to dream of a good shot at our first home win against the Gunners since Thatcher’s government was in short trousers. Tempting fate really – despite no lack of effort and some good football in the end the side with more class in depth took away the three points with a little help from an over-generous referee.
Pardew made two changes to the XI that started against Norwich, with Bolasie in for Mutch and Wickham having a first start replacing Murray. Having been enjoying views from The Nek and Rhododendron Ridge last week I can’t say whether these changes were sensible but it did restore the usual 4-2-3-1 formation with two proper wingers, although Zaha & Bolasie swapped flanks on a regular basis, and at one stage Bolasie swapped with Puncheon to play behind the striker. This fluidity also applied in the midfield where Cabaye, McArthur & Puncheon all took turns to play the more attacking role. I’m a little confused by the preference of McCarthy in place of Hennessey, assumed to be Julian’s heir-apparent, but Alex’s performance proved to be solid. One interesting change in the Arsenal XI was the return of Bellerin at right back but not as expected in place of Monreal, but England’s Gibbs, with Monreal switching to right back. Was this concern over Palace’s raw pace down the flanks?
It was down the wings that Palace first threatened with Wilf down the right, and for much of the first half it was only when the ball was moved wide that we looked particularly dangerous. However Arsenal soon established dominance of possession & territory, much as they had done in last season’s first half at Selhurst. From the Whitehorse Lane end the Palace goal was besieged with plenty of desperate challenges and blocks as Arsenal sought the killer through ball. Our strength in attack down the flanks did turn out to be a potential weakness as both Wilf & Yannick at times failed to track back as Arsenal’s full backs moved up, Ward in particular being left outnumbered on several occasions. The hard work of Dann, Delaney, McArthur & Cabaye kept us in the match during this phase while an awful error by Ward (similar to Dann’s gift to Benteke in the same spot last year) nearly gifted Arsenal a chance.
Palace’s best half-chance came when a rehearsed corner routine saw Cabaye’s shot blocked on the edge of the box; with so many players pushed up and the Gunners being more fleet of foot the beak nearly caught us out, that combination of luck & bravery seeing two goal-bound shots by Sánchez blocked – think it was Ward & McArthur putting bodies on the line. We didn’t escape punishment for long as Ozil again found too much space on our right gifted by Ward (who I think conceded possession?) and Giroud’s volley across McCarthy beat the keeper. That brought a period of even more possession football from Arsenal, happy to waste time passing among their back four with Palace holding the halfway line. Wickham, who took time to become accustomed to the pace of the game, started to press Cech & defenders deeper and that allowed us to break up Arsenal’s game, although the stiletto of the counter-attack was always looming. It was from breaking up one Arsenal move that Palace fashioned an equaliser, a good passing move seeing the ball teed up for Ward. There was no comparison to his only other Palace goal in 100+ appearances, a bumbling effort past hapless QPR; this shot from 30 yards arrowed inside the far post, although I was surprised that Cech was beaten from this distance, perhaps taking too long to get his long frame from vertical to horizontal.
Game on! The game was very open now, the creative touches of Cabaye & Puncheon and the latent threat of Bolasie & Zaha creating the odd moment of panic in Arsenal’s defence, against the classic counter-punch. In the middle of this Coquelin committed a foul only five minutes after being shown a yellow card: I have no issue with Mason not sending him off at that stage, but he should really have given him the “last chance” speech then & not after yet another foul in the second half; and McArthur was booked for his first poor – if blatant – foul a minute or two later. It might have made no difference to the result – Coquelin might have been subbed before Wenger was invited to replace him in the second half – but it remains a sore spot - should have walked after the fourth foul.
Bolasie did not reappear after half time. He did not look fully fit and occasionally disinterested in defensive duties, but he still created some dangerous moments on the attack. His replacement Mutch lacked the same explosive pace & willingness to run at opponents, and Puncheon’s creativity was muzzled when he was switched to the wing. Palace should really have grabbed an immediate lead, Wickham stabbed effort cannoning back off the post with Puncheon missing the rebound; was it easier to hit the target from close range? Arsenal’s response was emphatic, a period of pressure involving corners & free kicks, but having failed to take advantage of this it was another counter-attack that did for us. Mutch lost possession upfield and a swift movement was Ward beaten far too easily in the air at the back post by Sánchez whose goal-bound header, having beaten McCarthy, was lashed into the roof of the net by a despairing Delaney. Seems to have been credited as an own goal which is unfair on both Sánchez (fine header) & Delaney (desperate effort to keep the ball out).
After that the game suited Arsenal. Wickham & Mutch lacked pace although they did occasionally threaten to burst through on sheer power alone. Zaha offered a little penetration down the right but never delivered the perfect cross, while Souaré impressed pushing up the left. Some fine saves with his legs by McCarthy and some inspired last ditch defending by Delaney (especially against sub Oxlade-Chamberlain) kept us in the game as the Gunners looked more likely to score a third. Puncheon missed two chances, putting one effort straight at Cech, and the arrival of Lee and Bamford made little difference. Mutch looked to divert an on-target header over Cech’s bar while our last chance saw Dann’s header drop easily into the keeper’s arms. At the end the effort Arsenal had to put in to subdue Palace showed as most players slumped to the turf; the difference was that little piece of class in the final ball (Cazorla in particular was a masochistic delight to watch) and sadly some uncharacteristic below-par defending by Ward.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tHtVdlrkKY
Ratings:
McCarthy – 7 – Good solid home debut. Made some good saves, particularly with his legs, and fielded both high & low crosses. Kicking was more accurate than Julian’s. I’m much happier having seen this display.
Ward – 5 – Brilliant goal but let himself down with poor defending for both goals. Looked to be a weakness down our right for which Zaha & Bolasie must share some of the blame as they didn’t always track back diligently. Worst moment was dithering on the by-line and being robbed of the ball.
Souaré – 7 – Had some difficult moments defensively, again not helped by the occasional lack of cover, but kept going and provided great attacking support in the second half.
Delaney – 8 – Every season I worry whether Damien can keep this form going – perhaps I am being unfair as I think he’s playing way above his station, but as that now appears to be an almost permanent level I’d better rethink my opinion on him as a Championship defender made good. Sometimes it looks rushed as he lacks the pace on field & occasionally in the head. As it was without his efforts Arsenal would have won easily, the highlight being somehow closing down Oxlade-Chamberlain’s break.
Dann – 7 – Not as many highlighted challenges & blocks as Damien but Scott again turned in a fine defensive display. It will be boring typing this out another 36 time this season but the lad is just a consummate professional.
Cabaye – 7 – Not the defensive weak link I’d feared, looks a slightly classier version of McArthur as he showed work-rate, determination in the challenge and some lovely short & long passing ability. Looks to have good vision on what opportunities open up with some of his switch play superb; not everyone can see & make the pass. Hopefully will be the difference that can break down more defensive opponents.
McArthur – 7 –Not far behind Yohan in terms of performance, and added his usual goal-line clearance to the game. It has to be said that Ledley & Jedinak (let alone poor abandoned Bannan) will struggle to get a start if these two remain fit & in form. A more rounded midfielder than the three mentioned above.
Puncheon – 6 – Performance only slightly dimmed in comparison to his midfield partners, but spent some time on both flanks. On the ball was part of an excellent creative triangle feeding the wingers. Faded in the second half in part due to positional switch and did miss a couple of decent chances.
Bolasie – 6 – Not at his best but perhaps his absence was noticeable after his withdrawal as we lacked the threat (real or imagined) of his pace. Still created some problems for Arsenal’s defenders but also went missing at the back letting down Ward & Souaré at times.
Zaha – 6 – Start flattered to deceive as Wilf was never a decisive factor in the game. Made some fancy moves particularly when playing down the left that led to half-chances and plenty of groans of anticipation. Saw more ball in the second half and delivered a couple of good crosses but like Yannick not at his best. Also occasionally let his opposing full back have a free run at our full backs and conceded possession in our half.
Wickham – 5 – Last saw him at Dagenham looking fat, unfit and with a knee injury. An improved performance but didn’t really get into the game until we were behind. Some nice touches and some heavy ones. Not seen replay of his shot that hit the post so unsure whether he was unlucky or profligate. I didn’t see Glenn’s display at Norwich so may be a little unfair but at this time I’d prefer to see Murray up front until Connor settles in.
Subs:
Mutch – 5 – A different prospect to Bolasie but one that I’m sure Arsenal preferred to face. Some good touches but also lost possession a little too often, including the start of the move for Arsenal’s winner. What is his best role?
Chung-yong Lee – 6 – A couple of good moves but passed up a good chance by trying to get the ball onto his left foot. Again what is his best position?
Bamford – 5 – Unable to show up front but strangely impressed that he was back in our box to clear a rebound from McCarthy’s save on a quick Arsenal break. It shows the right spirit at least!