Crystal Palace beat Arsenal 3:0! Gunners missed Chelsea’s hesitation

With three points, Arsenal were able to move up to 4th place and at the same time close Chelsea’s lead to just 2 points. However, the chance was missed and Crystal Palace, whose players gave a fantastic performance in the derby, deservedly won. This was undoubtedly enjoyed by Patrick Vieira, who has spent most of his career in an Arsenal jersey.

The home side entered the game very actively, causing Arsenal problems with their aggressive attacking. The Eagles soon created some chances – in the second minute Mitchell sent a dangerous centre into the box from the left and a few minutes later Gallagher tried again from the right.

The Gunners’ defence was still able to cope with that, but in the 16th minute the home side could rejoice. Gallagher centred from a direct kick to the back post, from where Andersen sent the ball straight in front of goal, which Jean-Philippe Mateta took advantage of to send Palace into the lead.

Danish defender Andersen was also on hand for his team’s second goal. When the ball came to him in the 24th minute in the middle of the pitch, he didn’t think much of it and sent a sharp pass towards the whitewash. His pass was not intercepted by Gabriel due to a slip and Ayew was able to increase the score to 2-0.

The Eagles had a chance for a third goal before half-time when Zaha evaded the visitors’ defenders and played the ball to Matteo in the whitewash, who was very much in the mood after his goal. This time, however, Ramsdale was able to keep it out.

Before half-time, Gabriel tried to reduce the deficit after a corner kick, but his header didn’t threaten the goal and the game went to the stands at 2: 0 for Crystal Palace.

Mikel Arteta reacted to the match with an offensive substitution and sent Martinelli on the pitch instead of Tavares, but even with his help the Gunners had trouble creating chances.

In the 51st minute Saka asked for a penalty after a fall in the whitewash, but the referee was against it. Arsenal finally had a bigger chance in the 63rd minute when the trio of Martinelli – Lacazette – Smith Rowe had a nice action, but the latter only sent the ball into the arms of Guaita.

A few minutes later, Odegaard had a great chance thanks to a pass from Nketiah, but missed the target from a promising position.

Arsenal were soon punished for their missed chances. In the 73rd minute, Zaha seized the rebounded ball, sailed it across the field and won a penalty for his team, which he then converted with ease.

The Gunners tried to reduce the deficit after that, but both Sakho’s dangerous shot and Smith Rowe’s finish were cleared by Guaita. Nketiah’s shot, though, didn’t reach the crossbar. That’s all Arsenal could do.

Crystal Palace climbed into the top half of the table with three points and Patrick Vieira’s team is unbeaten in their last five league games. The Eagles now face Leicester next weekend, followed by the FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea.

Arsenal remain in 5th place, with a chance to atone for the loss at home to Brighton next weekend.

Source: Premier League