Arsenal secured a hard-fought 3-2 win against Crystal Palace this evening to book their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The Gunners knew this would be a challenging match given the quality of their opponents, and Palace wasted no time making their mark. Jean-Philippe Mateta stunned the Emirates crowd with a goal just four minutes into the game, giving the visitors an early lead.
The early setback spurred Arsenal into action, as they immediately took control of the game and piled pressure on Palace. However, this attacking intent left them vulnerable at the back, and Palace had opportunities to double their lead. Despite a few promising chances, the Eagles failed to capitalise.
Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling were the most dangerous players for Arsenal in the first half, repeatedly testing Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson with some impressive efforts. Despite their dominance, the Gunners couldn’t find a breakthrough before halftime, leaving Palace confident they had Arsenal exactly where they wanted them.
The second half brought a different story. Martin Odegaard’s introduction completely changed the dynamic of the match. The Norwegian midfielder’s stunning pass set up Gabriel Jesus to score Arsenal’s equaliser, bringing the Emirates crowd to life.
Bukayo Saka’s substitution further lifted Arsenal’s performance. The winger made an instant impact, playing a key role in setting up Jesus for Arsenal’s second goal of the evening. With Palace now struggling to keep up, Jesus completed his hat trick with a composed finish, putting Arsenal 3-1 ahead with just ten minutes left.
Palace, however, refused to go down quietly. Eddie Nketiah reduced the deficit with a fine header, beating David Raya and reigniting hopes of a late comeback. The Eagles came close to scoring again, but Arsenal held firm to secure a vital victory and progress to the next round.
It was a thrilling encounter that showcased Arsenal’s resilience and quality, while Palace can hold their heads high after a valiant effort.
Hopefully that will kick start a revival for Jesus. He looked so focused and that result hopefully will help another revival at Palace at the weekend.
First half wasn’t a bore fest, but not riveting either. The second half was a different kettle of fish so perhaps the backroom staff administered a metaphorical kick up the derriere.
TIerney made a good return and I hope I am right in thinking he was suffering from fatigue rather than an injury.
I hope your right about Tierney Sue.
If anyone deserves an injury free run its him.
Good win for the boys as well.
Derek, I don’t think it matters, Arteta doesn’t rate him.
Sue, I thought it was refreshing that Tierney played like a LB, playing balls down the line and when was the last time our full back put a ball in like the one to Stirling. Jesus looked awaful first half, he looked a different player second. We upped the tempo second half. Why don’t we play like that all the time. In the league at times we have been pedestrian like the first half. Good win. A bigger game now on Saturday. I thought Palace looked very ordinary.
I totally agree with your post Reggie
Talk about a game of 2 halves!
A much needed boost away from the last couple of weeks. Palace were ordinary apart from Nketiah’s goal
Tierney update:
1. Cramp rather than injury. Seems Arteta told him to go down to make sure he could be subbed off without exposing the left side, even though he was playing largely as a winger.
2. His contract expires 30/6/25 and Arsenal won’t be extending it according to reports. So his transfer value, loanability, transfer worth etc are all kinda moot points now. He’ll be there for 6 months, then he’ll be gone.
One assist for Saka and two for Ødegaard just shows how much we need this pair!
They will get their chance again Saturday.
And with the Women topping their group with a 3-2 win over Bayern Munich.
Make mine a double.😉👍
Chin chin
Sue,
How did you know I have two chins.🤣😂👍
Sterling was awful
He must be sent back to Chelsea.
Had hopes when we signed him but it has not worked.
Isn’t it weird how people see the same player differently?
Considering Raheem hadn’t played a competitive match for a long time I was really impressed with his commitment and, bar two terrific saves from their keeper, he would have two goals under his belt.
Such a treat to see a proper LB playing in that position.
Tierney was another hit for me and his passes, link up play and involvement showed what we have been missing and I echo the thoughts that he wasn’t subbed through injury, but rather exhaustion.
Three well taken goals from Gabriel has, hopefully shown that class is permanent and fans will get off his back.
What can one say about Odegaard’s influence? He changed the game for us!!
Fully agree, ken1945
Ken
I understand sterling needs games understand his belt to get up to speed but he wasn’t that good
Very static amd didn’t move hardly
KT had a decent return but I think our game has moved on for him.
Personally biggest difference for us last night was when we swapped over Party . It isn’t his preferred position but he just cant pass forward
All side side back
Tempo is slow. Not the only one who does it but he should know better
MO comes on and the temporary is so much different
It’s difficult to know how to use Sterling as it seems he might need a run of games to show if he can play at the level we need. Unfortunately, he is playing at a level below the other options at this point.
KT was fine but it seems unlikely that he will be a long term option. It’s not surprising that he had to go off given his injury issues and the amount of time he’s been away. The manager will have to use him carefully.
RB is an issue as we only really have Timber (and Partey) currently. Although not ideal, I suspect Partey has been used there partly due to the loss of BW and other injury and fitness issues across the defence.
Saka and Odegaard are the team’s saviours up front without them we are mediocre.
Tierney had a good game playing as a traditional left back. He would have had an assist if Sterling finished the ball he crossed in.
Jesus finally scored some important goals for us. Hopefully his form comes back and he begins to bang in goals for us.
Kiwior, I have no words for him.
We have won and we are into the next round, the semi final.
We will know by Saturday if Tierney is injured again or not…..if he is that will be a shame because we will not be able to sell him by next transfer window.. I do not hate Tierney as a person but it’s quite annoying how some fans kept ranting about him not playing as if when he was playing for us regularly we won any major trophy… non of the players in our LB is that good and Tierney is not an exception
But out of all the left backs, he’s the only genuine left back we’ve got.
And if Arteta could do away with this inverted nonsense and have overlapping full backs, we might just start creating from both sides, just saying.
Its no good talking sense. It wouldn’t surprise if Arteta is looking at inverting the goalkeeper?
And you’ve got tactics sense better than Arteta’s
“I do not hate Tierney as a person but it’s quite annoying how some fans kept ranting about him not playing as if when he was playing for us regularly we won any major trophy… non of the players in our LB is that good and Tierney is not an exception”
We won the FA Cup when Tierney was a regular first team player and the FA Cup is a major trophy to me
3 gifts from Jesus for the holiday season. Festive times at the Emirates, indeed.
So who would you play at LB Alan, and what do they bring to the party in terms of attacking prowess.We may have moved on from KT but our entire left flank has suffered and struggled.Inversion tactics have brought us more possession but not one trophey.
I believe mls is good enough whilst enough
Showed enough for me that he can defend and offer enough going forward
He showed he has the attributes to step in to the middle of the park
With BW out, timber is naturally gifted to hold the right ha d side and give us balance
Maybe we should start with Saka and Odegaard on bench till half time then throw them on seems to work better than bringing the subs on. later
Tierney is the best left back we have in the squad without doubt. Yesterday was a good audition to witness that. He attacks when he is supposed to and he keeps his position very well. Palace started using our left side the moment he left and that’s where they created their second goal. During the time he was in the game that side was well taken care of by Tierney. Shame on the injuries but what an asset he can be.
Well, clearly there is doubt.
Tierney did well yesterday. As a traditional LB he would be OK. However, he isn’t comfortable inverting and a FB who can’t do that is not suitable as a long term solution.
Why?
Grandad & Marty,
Am I the only person on here who gets fed up with all this inverted nonsense.
How refreshing it was to actually see a full back doing what a fullback should.
All this inverted nonsense.🤦♂️
You obviously don’t read Grandad and mine posts for the last few seasons.
Reggie,
So there’s at least four of us then.😉👍
👍
So do we want an excellent LB or a mediocre LB who is excellent at playing the inverted LB position. I know who I would rather have but MA thinks differently.
David want whatever Arteta wants, regardless of the outcome 🤣
What doubt David? Which other left back deserve to be at Arsenal?
Arteta’s system requires FBs who can invert effectively. The overloads in MF enable us to dominate possession and with the right kind of player should also provide an additional creative option in attacking phases of the game.
What is the point of overloading the midfield and dominate possession when you create less chances and leave your winger isolated. Inverted fullbacks have been tried and tested over the years by various clubs. If it is a sure fire way, most clubs would be playing with them, but that is hardly the case. Is Pep even using an inverted fullback now after experimenting?
And the inverted full backs have earned him 1 face cup and 2 Community shields.
As a good coach you have to be flexible and play different tactics for different situations.
Yes indeed SJ. Our Manager’s tactics have met with very limited success for the money he has spent David.I would draw your attention to the fact that Real Madrid, Barca and Bayern Munich all play with conventional full backs and I think you will concede that they are far more successful Clubs than Arsenal.Arteta needs to reappraise his tactics in my opinion if we are to become winners .Pep was the benchmark for the ultimate possession game but as he is now finding out attempting to turn centre backs into full backs is not always a blueprint for success.Arteta has been a “follower” of Guardiola but it’s time he became his own man.
Grandad,
I’m beginning to like you more and more.😉👍
St grandad to the rescue of common sense, Again!
Arteta certainly has come from Guardiola’s “school” as it were. It is therefore unsurprising that he has a similar approach.
The teams you have highlighted have been the dominant and richest teams in their leagues so there is clearly the question as to whether their success has been due primarily to their systems or their wealth. It is important to note that the different types of FBs have strengths and limitations.
For the money spent, I think Arteta has done a good job by turning Arsenal into real title contenders. It is also worth noting that although Arteta has a preferred setup he has altered this at times depending on personnel availability and opponent.
SJ,
Please don’t include the Community Shields’ as trophy’s. (Really). 🤦♂️ (Season curtain raiser, nothing more nothing less).
I’ve already made my opinions on the inverted rubbish very clear in earlier posts.
Well Derek, its that successful, Tierney was dumped, Tavares was dumped,Zinchenko was dumped and the left side attack hasn’t functioned for that very reason. Funnily enough as well most of our injuries are from their as well.
“And the inverted full backs have earned him 1 face cup and 2 Community shields.”
Arteta won the FA Cup before using inverted fullbacks.
There’s been a lot of talk about Tierney, but what about Kiwior…
It was a bit embarrassing how Mateta shoved him off the ball like that.
Don’t worry Kia,
If reports are to be believed he’ll be shoving off in January. (See what I did there).😂👍
Tierney or Kiwior?
No contest !!!
Could this be a timely return of the most malign and prosecuted striker of Arsenal, only time will tell
He needs to mention the 2 friendly match organized by the FA.
Less I forget, the INVERTED MANAGER also won Emirates cups too.
The next person to be inverted is EN. NONSENSE!
Tomi A,
Don’t go there, and give him ideas.
One genuine cup won under Arteta.
TBH, I thought KT did ok. Seem we’ve got the optimum draw for the cup. Fate seems to be shining on us for fixtures anyway …..
I along with many fans will have to eat my words. Well Gabriel Jesus, a great hattrick and long may your good form and confidence continue. Tierney also had a great match and hopefully it is now the turn of Sterling to perform well. We are into the semis and will play Newcastle. I expect us to beat them and reach the finals and hopefully we lift the first silverware of the season in winning the League Cup.
gunnerforlife,
Two points, First well done Jesus for his Hatrick. But as for eating our words, lets not get carried away, its one game.
If selected tomorrow produce again, and then in the next game. If he can then continue to produce regular high level performances, then yes get the tomato sauce ready, and I will be willing to eat a bit of humble pie.😉
Point two, you can expect what you want regarding beating Newcastle and making it to the final.
Just a few words of caution, were at home first. And our second leg is at their place, where in the last two seasons we’ve performed abysmally.
The thought springs to mind, never count your chickens until there hatched. (Just saying). 😉