Arsenal made very hard work of the first half, and with Palace playing it very tight at the back it was looking difficult to get the ball to lone striker Yaya Sanogo. All the same it was a bit of a shock when the long-mooted Arsenal target Brede Hangerland flew above the Gunners defence to open the scoring in the 34th minute.
Arsenal fought back and just managed to nab the equaliser before the half-time whistle through a similar goal from Laurent Koscielny at the other end, except this one came from an excellent free-kick from Alexis.
Just after half time the luckless Jason Puncheon was booked, which was lucky for Arsenal because when he was booked again at the end of a very scrappy second half, Arsenal were suddenly facing just ten men.
I was dreading watching five minutes of added time, but the extra man paid off very quickly when Ramsey punched in a loose ball in the box and suddenly the crowd came alive as Arsenal took the lead for the first time.
Szczesny was looking nervous at the end but the defence managed to stop Palace equalising. Phew, but what sweet relief at the final whistle. Three points in the bag! And as I have Ramsey AND Koscielny in my fantasy team I am over the moon….