Category Archives: Arsenal

Match Report: Crystal Palace 2 – 2 Arsenal

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Crystal Palace (1) 2 Arsenal (0) 2
Premier League
Selhurst Park, London SE25
Sunday, 28th October 2018. Kick-off time:1.30pm

(4-2-3-1) Leno; Bellerín, Mustafi, Holding, Xhaka; Torreira, Guendouzi; Iwobi, Özil, Aubameyang; Lacazette.
Substitutes: Cech, Sokratis, Ramsey, Lichtsteiner, Mkhitaryan, Welbeck, Smith-Rowe.
Scorers: Xhaka, Aubameyang
Yellow Cards: Lichtsteiner, Guendouzi

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 25,086

Another lunchtime kick-off on a Sunday, another match in London, another derby away from home. This time we meet Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, a ground where we have traditionally done well, losing only once in a Premiership match there since they returned to the top flight back in season 2013-14. Two of our most famous players in the past 40 years have arrived to us from The Eagles (or The Glaziers, depending on how far back you started supporting them), namely future Arsenal and England skipper Kenny Sansom in 1980, and the legendary Ian Wright, our second highest goalscorer of all time, who signed for The Gunners in 1991. He scored 185 goals from 288 appearances, before leaving us for West Ham United in 1997.

Of course, we started slowly, as per usual. And as per usual there were several heart attack moments in the first quarter of an hour or so, which only meant that Crystal Palace started to grow in confidence as the first half wore on. Although we had chances to score (which we criminally wasted), the back line struggled at times as the opposition started to get more and more physical, and as they did, our defence were unable to contain them adequately. And again an individual error led to disaster. Almost on the stroke of half-time, Shkodran Mustafi made a very clumsy tackle on the Palace attacker in the penalty area; of course he went to the ground, of course it was a penalty and of course The Eagles scored. When will we ever learn from our mistakes?

Guess what? Six minutes into the second half, we redressed the balance with an absolutely fantastic goal, worthy of one that would win a cup final. After Lucas Torreira was brought down with a hasty challenge from a Palace defendeer on the edge of the box, Granit Xhaka perfectly struck a beautiful free-kick into the top corner of the goal, via the post. Now we have a purpose. Being on the ascendancy for the first time in the match, we pressurised the Palace goal relentlessly, and within five monutes of the equaliser, we took the lead with a controversial goal, which, to tell the truth, should have not been given. Granit Xhaka took a corner, Alexandre Lacazette unbelievably had his arm in the air, and unfortunately ball went to hand that enabled it to change flight, enough so for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to bundle the ball over the line. Chaos then ensued, with a vengeful Crystal Palace bringing the game to us with some urgency. An angry Mesut Özil (who flung his gloves on the floor in disgust as he left the pitch) was substituted for Danny Welbeck, and in turn ten minutes later Aaron Ramsey replaced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in order for Arsenal to regroup and consolidate in order to ensure the three points. Alas, it was not to be. Another controversial moment, another penalty decision against us. Less than ten minutes from full-time, Granit Xhaka stuck a leg out towards an attacking Palace striker in the penalty area; quite naturally the forward went to ground quickly, and just minutes later Crystal Palace scored from the penalty spot to make the final score being an exhausting two-all draw.

For Arsenal, this match was a disappointment to say the least. We still do not learn our lessons with regards to the defence, and although it was unfortunate for us not to continue the winning run, it may just be that it could be a blessing in disguise. Going into the Liverpool match next weekend, we now know how it feels to have victory snatched from us, so it could just be that this could be the impetus for us to win in front of our supporters. The proof will definitely be in The Emirates pudding come full-time on Saturday evening. We’ll see. Remember everyone, keep the faith, get behind the team and the manager, as these early days are going to be crucial for our future success in all competitions. Stick with the winners. Victoria Concordia Crescit.

Steve

Too Dearly Loved To Be Forgotten: Arsenal v Racing Club de Paris 1930-1962 by Steve Ingless (Rangemore Publications, ISBN 978-1-5272-0135-4) is now available on Amazon.

10 Reasons why Arsenal will beat Crystal Palace + Starting XI

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  1. Arsenal are on an 11 game winning run
  2. Last year we beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park – one of just 4 away wins
  3. By beating Crystal Palace this season in South London, we would have equalled last seasons record – and it is only October
  4. Victory will mean Arsenal are 1 win away from winning every game in every competition in September and October – who cares about Manager of the Month awards?
  5. The bookies have Arsenal 4/5 favourites
  6. Crystal Palace have yet to score at home in the league
  7. They have just 1 point in 4 games at Selhurst Park
  8. And have lost their last 3 Premier League games
  9. They do not have a fit striker
  10. Unai Emery’s Red and White Army

She Wore

Tottenham at their best are equal to Arsenal at their worst

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The greatest Tottenham Hotspur team in a generation. Their best start to a campaign in Premier League history. A manager who one media outlet declared had the best vision and impact in the Premier League.

Yet they sit 5th in the Premier League and are heading out of the Champions League.

Their best team in a generation is about to go trophyless for the first decade since World War II. Their last trophy was 10 years ago – soon to be 11.

Mauricio Pochettino is in his 5th season at the club, and over the summer failed to sign a single player.

Tottenham at their recent best are Arsenal at their recent worst.

Between 2006 and 2013, Arsenal went through a horrendous time.

8 years without a trophy, hardly signing any players, crippled by a huge stadium debt and viewing top 4 as a success as a trophy. These all led to fans turning on the manager, on the club, and on the owners.

But Tottenham are 10 years without a trophy, not signing any players, crippled by a huge stadium stadium debt (which is still unbuilt), and top 4 is being seen as a success by fans, the club and the media.

For so long, Arsenal were mocked for getting out of the group stages of the Champions League, and then knocked out at the first round of knock out games. But here we have Tottenham about to be knocked out at the group stages.

Coming up are Barcelona and Inter Milan. You could argue that the UEFA Champions League fixtures have not been kind to Spurs this season, but they are crashing out of the competition.

During the awful 8 years between 2006 & 2013, Arsenal got through the group stages, no matter how difficult the opponents were.

ENIC took over at Spurs in 2001. Since then it is just 1 trophy. A single League Cup.

You compare that to Arsenal’s horrendous period under the ownership of Stan Kroenke and Kroenke Sports Enterprises.

Kroenke bought his first shares in April 2007, at the beginning of Arsenal’s trophy drought. He has since overseen the club win 3 FA Cups.

SO Kroenke ownership (alongside Ivan Gazidis as CEO) is considered bad (3 FA Cups in 11 years) whilst Daniel Levy is considered a genius – despite having delivered just 1 League Cup in 18 years.

As a side note, 3 FA Cups in 11 years for s club the size of Arsenal is not good enough.

It does baffle me the praise Tottenham have got in recent years.

Words such as “success” have been labelled to the current team. But what success have they exactly have?

They finished above Arsenal twice, they finished 3rd in a 2 horse race, and they put the pressure on Chelsea. Then you have Harrry Kane’s goals and having the most players from any side in the World Cup semi-finals.

It really is not much success to shout about.

Lets go back to Arsenal.

Between 2006 & 2013, Arsenal finished above Spurs 8 out of 8 times. We made the Champions League 8 out of 8 times. We made the Champions League knock out stages 8 out of 8 times. But this was (rightly) not seen as a success.

It was a period of failure.

2006 – 2013 was the worst period in Arsenal’s recent history. You have to go back to the pre-Graham period between 1980 – 1988 for a similar period of no success.

Just the 8 years. That is how long Arsenal went between trophies under Arsene Wenger. That was Arsenal at their worst.

Tottenham at their best are 10 years without a trophy, and Pochettino is creeping up on 5 years with no silverware himself.

At their best, they are the equal of Arsenal at their worst under Arsene Wenger.

A final thought.

If Arsenal finish above Spurs in the 2018/19 season, and Spurs do not win a trophy the 10’s decade will read:

Arsenal: 3 trophies; finished above Spurs 8 times

Tottenham: 0 trophies, finished above Arsenal twice

Yet the 10’s will go down in history as a tough decade for Arsenal. Whilst for the greatest Spurs team in a generation, it is seen as a hugely successful generation.

Let’s actually change the title of the blog.

Tottenham at the recent best are less successful than Arsenal at their recent worst.

Keenos