Kevin Whitcher
Back in April, Arsenal left Selhurst Park with their tails between their legs and the boos of their supporters ringing in their ears, after a heartless performance saw them dismissed 3-0 by a team that were, at the time, trying to ensure they escaped the relegation dogfight. Sam Allardyce was their manager back then. Roy Hodgson has replaced the latter’s successor, Frank de Boer, and after initially posting some bad results, they have lately been on a good run.
However, Hodgson did not set his team up as well as Fat Sam did to counter Arsenal’s strengths, and the consequence was that, with time and space to work in, Arsene Wenger’s team fashioned three goals on a chilly late December evening. Defensively, they remain highly suspect, but by conceding less than they converted, they are three points better off than they were yesterday afternoon.
It was ironic that the two standout performers were two of the names that look set to depart the club, either in January (Sanchez) or the summer (Wilshere). The club will make noises about fresh contract talks, but the Chilean is 100% leaving and there have to be questions about the relationship between Wilshere and his manager. My prediction is that if Wenger remains in charge the number 10 will depart, although I’ll withdraw that if once Aaron Ramsey is fit, Wilshere remains in the starting eleven until the end of the campaign. On current form, he should.
I read (from memory) somewhere on Twitter that when Wilshere plays, Alexis does not feel the temptation to drop deep to get the ball. This is because Jack combines creativity and thrust. It was such ability that led to a free kick midway through the first half not far from the Palace box. Although initially it looked wasted, subsequently Lacazette created a chance from wide and shot at the Palace keeper. He could only parry it onto the foot of Mustafi who neatly tucked it away first time from a very tight angle.
Kolasinac, Mustafi and Calum Chambers had come in as starters, replacing Maitland-Niles, the injured Monreal and Iwobi from the starting line-up against Liverpool, as Wenger reverted to a back three. In truth, none of them covered themselves in glory. Early in the second half, Mustafi allowed Zaha way too much space to get a low cross in that was converted by an unmarked Andros Townsend. 1-1.
Then, after doing not very much at all, Alexis Sanchez came to the party. He combined well with Lacazette before firing a snap shot just inside the post to restore Arsenal’s lead. About three minutes later, Wilshere played a dream ball over the defence for the Chilean wantaway to control it with his chest before slotting it inside the same post he had placed the ball earlier. 3-1 and easy street.
Arsenal being Arsenal, they gave Palace a chink of light late on when ex-Hammer Stephen Tompkin scored a header from a corner, which would have been prevented if Wenger ordered a couple of his defenders to mark the posts. It reminded of many a goal conceded by Arsenal at corners. Zonal marking allows the attacking player to get more of a jump than whoever is covering the space. But it was too little too late. The Gunners weathered four minutes of injury time and the points were secured.
Next up, West Brom away, a reminder of another horrific performance last season. Tony Pulis was their manager then, although he has since been given the boot, Alan Pardew is his replacement. Hodgson, Pulis, Pardew – all these guys have managed both Palace and West Brom. And more often than not, been beaten by Arsenal. Let’s see what happens on New Year’s Day…
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