The Premier League’s last game of the weekend provided the world a highly entertaining match. In a game between Crystal Palace and Arsenal, it was Sam Allardyce’s men that claimed all three points in front of a ruckus Selhurst Park.
In an open affair, it was Crystal Palace who took the lead in the 16th minute when Wilfred Zaha’s mis-hit shot found its way to Andros Townsend six yards out. The score would stay 1-0 until half time and after the break Palace would reaffirm their dominance. A Yohan Cabaye scooped lob on the 63rd minute would double their lead.
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The game was officially put to bed five minutes later when Emiliano Martinez brought down a nimble Andros Townsend. Luka Milivojevic would step up to convert the penalty and gift wrap Arsenal a 3-0 defeat.
The defeat leaves Arsenal three points behind Manchester United on fifth and seven points behind fourth placed Manchester City. While Palace now sit six points above the relegation zone with a game in hand.
Here are 5 major talking points from the game.
#5 Granit Xhaka is finally controlling games
For the first time this season it seems as though Granit Xhaka has fully accepted his role as the sole conductor of Arsenal’s midfield. In the midst of a faltering Gunners side, the Swiss international did all he could to shift play from side to side.
It’s not only the amount of passing he was producing, it’s the variation he did it with. He altered between drilling, floating and tapping passes to the wide channels of the pitch.
Granit Xhaka completed 94 out of his 107 passes, that’s 86 % pass accuracy, higher than anyone else on the pitch. Through this control, he was able to create four goalscoring opportunities for his teammates, opportunities they couldn’t capitalise on.
In order for Xhaka to become the complete holding midfielder, he must first work on his defensive positioning and ensure his attacking role doesn’t overshadow his defensive duties.
#4 Crystal Palace are a menace on the flanks
The tactical identity of a Sam Allardyce team is always defined by their pace, physicality and defensive organisation. Throughout the game, Palace defended deep in numbers and then counter attacked with a front three.
For the whole 90 minutes, Andros Townsend and Wilfred Zaha terrorised the Arsenal full-backs in order to get to the by-line and cross. The wingers completed 8 and 4 take-ons respectively. The pair also whipped in 11 crosses between them, all aimed at the 6’3 frame of Christian Benteke.
Big Sam, even after the game, stated that Arsenal’s full-backs leave their defensive partners too exposed. So they decided to exploit the space left by them down the flanks over & over again. Oh, my oh my, when will Arsène Wenger learn.
#3 Emiliano Martinez is Arsenal’s best keeper
In the five games Martinez has started for Arsenal this season, the Argentinean has kept three clean sheets. That’s a 60% success rate, compared to the 20% for Ospina and 31% for Petr Cech.
For the second successive game, Emiliano looked assured and composed at the back for Arsenal. The 24-year old calmly played out the back, maintaining Arsenal’s dominance in possession.
Despite the scoreline, the young keeper was the only saving grace for Arsene Wenger. It was clear that the vulnerable defence in front of him weren’t going to offer him much protection, so the 24-year old took matters into his hands.
Regularly coming out of his 6-yard box to claims balls he had no right to win. The manner of the defeat can definitely not be attributed to Martinez’s performance that’s for sure.
#2 Crystal Palace were more effective with less possession
Throughout the game, Arsenal dominated possession with 73% of the ball, equating to 523 passes. In comparison, Allardyce’s men only completed 147 passes in the 90 minutes.
However, despite the vast range in possession, Crystal Palace created more chances than the Gunners. Palace were able to attempt 17 shots in comparison to Arsenal’s 11. They also had 6 shots on target, twice as much as the Gunners.
Arsenal dominated the ball but Palace dominated from a creative perspective. These stats are amazing but it’s even more amazing to think that the scoreline even flattered the Gunners.
As the stats suggest, Crystal Palace at times had an open fire on Martinez’s unprotected goal. The Eagles taught the world how to be dangerous with only 27% possession.
#1 Shkodran Mustafi is terrible 1v1
In a match where Arsenal’s poor defensive organisation was exposed again, Shkodran Mustafi seemed to be the centrepiece of the calamity. There were far too many occasions where the German international made irrational decisions that left his defensive partners vulnerable.
Mustafi committed two fouls, received a yellow card and lost 50% of his aerial duels. His rash defending completely spoilt the defensive shape of the back four, thus allowing gaps to be opened up across the back.
For every goal, Crystal Palace scored, the blame could either be attributed to the irrational tackling of Mustafi or his brain-dead positioning. Either way, the German let down his teammates and manager against Crystal Palace. With Laurent Koscielny not by his side to babysit him, he looked lost and out of his depth severely.
