Arteta 47 (pen),
Giroud 87
This game was a tough fight, from start to finish. In a way this makes the victory even sweeter, and we know that we will have to get more hard-fought wins like this one if we are to remain at the top of the league.
Our first decent chance of the game came after three minutes, when Giroud met Sagna's cross with a header. Unfortunately it went wide, and what was even more unfortunate was Flamini having to go off due to some kind of groin problem eight minutes into the game. He was replaced by Serge Gnabry.
Approximately ten minutes after our first chance Crystal Palace had theirs, another header over the bar. Their next chance was slightly better, though, as Chamakh (who has ended up in Crystal Palace since leaving us) had a shot on target saved by Szczesny. A couple of minutes later they had another shot on target saved by our Polish 'keeper and a shot going just wide as well.
On the other side of the pitch Cazorla had a shot inches away from being met by Giroud, which instead ended up going just wide. Then Ramsey had a shot from a steep angle saved by Crystal Palace 'keeper Speroni, before Giroud had a shot saved as well right before half-time.
At the very beginning of the second half we got that desired lead. When Gnabry was brought down in the box the referee did not hesitate to give the penalty, and in the following minute Mikel Arteta scored from the penalty spot with a penalty that was simply too well struck to be saved, even though Speroni went the right way. Minutes later Gnabry created a chance for himself, but his effort went wide.
Disaster struck when Arteta received a red card for bringing down Chamakh in a 'last man' situation, meaning that he could miss our upcoming game against Liverpool. This also meant that Gnabry had to leave the pitch, having come on in the first half, as Wilshere was introduced.
Even though we were ten against eleven we continued to create some chances, Giroud had a dangerous cross into the box almost met by Ramsey at the far post. Huge credit for this win will have to go to Szczesny, though, who made two brilliant saves with fifteen minutes to go that definitely aided in ensuring this win. He tipped one shot into the bar with his fingertips, and in the following minute he made a stunning, one-hand save from a long-distance shot.
Right at the end we secured the win through a certain French striker. Ramsey made a neat run into the 18-yard-box and provided a brilliant pass that was met by Olivier Giroud with a thundering header past Speroni!
With this win we ensure another week at the top of the league, and come next weekend we have a chance of putting Liverpool further behind us as we go head-to-head to with them. For now, however, the focus lies on Tuesday's clash against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup!
Injury Update:
- Flamini returned from the concussion he picked up last weekend, only to go off after eight minutes due to what appeared to be a groin problem.
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