Crystal Palace were in fine form before last night’s game at home to Arsenal, being unbeaten for 8 games either home or away, but the Gunners were in a must win situation with all our rivals at the Top having picked up points on Tuesday, and they surprisingly proved equal to the task.
We scored early through Mustafi and it looked like we were going to run away with the game, but yet again our mental block came into play and we couldn’t get another one in the net, but we started playing again after Townsend was allowed an easy shot to give the Eagles the equalizer. It still took another 15 minutes before we saw a brace from Alexis Sanchez give us a comfortable 2-goal cushion. We tried to defend it but Palace scored again to make it a nervy 5 minutes including added time.
Wenger was pleased after the game but admitted it was a bit ‘nervy’: “Overall I think it was a very good, positive performance.” Le Prof said. “We were fluid going forward and controlled the game well. At half-time it was 1-0, but it should have been more and then of course at some stage the home team who fights against relegation will come at you, and we started well in the second half in the first five minutes.
“I thought we had two good chances and after it was just down to 1-1, then we showed resources and character, were leading 3-1 and controlled the game quite well, but at 3-2 we became quite nervy again and we finished in a bit of a less controlled way, but overall it was a good team performance.”
Considering the nerves it was a great three points in an away game for a change, and we will have to do it again at West Brom on Sunday night to keep us in touch with the leaders again. It is going to be a very nervy second half of the season!
Admin