Some of the reactions from fans.
madindian (reddit): "3 shots on target. Arteta the most efficient manager ever. Fuck my life. I canβt even be happy with a win."
RohanJivan@twitter: "The unsung hero for the Martinelli winner was Gabriel. The pace to recover his position and get close to Zaha followed by dealing with him in the 1v1 was outstanding. What a beast."
Layth@twitter: "FT: Palace 1-3 Arsenal. Two late goals. Three points for the Gunners. One game left. Slim European hopes remain. Somehow. Stay tuned for Sunday shenanigans at the Emirates... What a fiery game that was!"
maccymac007: "Thatβs a PUSKAS goal from Pepe. 100x better than what that fraud Son did."
π 90+4': GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAL! PEPE! 3-1.
A perfect solo run by Nico. Dribbles past a couple of defenders and hits the far low corner.
π 90+1': GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAL! Martinelli! 2-1!
Odegaard crosses in and Gabi connects. Just a few seconds ago, Gabriel defended perfectly against Zaha, who almost got one on one with Leno.
π 85-90'. Elneny is caught daydreaming in midfield and gets robbed of the ball. Townsends shot on the break is an easy catch for Leno.
π 80-85'. Two chances in quick succession at both ends. Leno grabs the ball on the goal line after a close-range header. Auba misses the target after Chambers' cross.
β Arsenal haven't had a shot since they scored in the 35th minute. (@Orbinho)
π 70-80'. Arsenal are trying to conjure something but there is no fluidity in passing anymore. Palace look much more solid in defence.
π 66-70'. Palace are pushing forward inspired by the equaliser and the home crowd. Benteke gets another chance from a close range but Leno comes out of the goalline and grabs the ball.
π 65'. Odegaard comes on for Saka. Zaha clamours for a pen but Rob only put his on his should and pulled it back in a moment. VAR says no penalty.
π 63'. Benteke equalises. 1-1. Two fouls in the build-up as the review shows. VAR somehow leaves the ref's decision unchanged.
π 55-60'. Leno claims the ball dead after another cross.
π 50-55'. A nice attacking move down the right as Pepe feeds Chambers on the overlapping run. His cross to the far post is cleared for a corner.
π 45-50'. Palace try to press Arsenal as the Gunners keep the ball under control. Arsenal dictate things on the pitch.
HT ratings.
Leno β 7
Was hardly properly tested by Palace in the first half an hour. But then produced a great save palming the ball away for a corner at the near post.
Chambers β 7
Good game so far at both ends by Calum.
Holding β 6.5
Solid defending by Rob. Kept an eye on Benteke. Needs to be more careful with his passing under pressing.
Gabriel - 7.5
Was almost immaculate in the first half.
Tierney - 8
Produced a great cross for Pepe for the opener. Runs back and forward down the left tirelessly.
Partey - 7
Needs to take less risk when in control of his own half. Made a crucial block inside the area to prevent the opponent from shooting from a very good position. Kept things in midfield under control.
Elneny - 6.5
Did the job defensively pretty well. However, picked up a yellow card for a bust-up with Benteke.
Saka - 8
Produced a great interplay with Tierney in the build-up to the opener. Was constant pain in the ass for the Palace defenders.
Smith Rowe - 7
Put in a great amount of work before the break.
Pepe - 7
Was hardly efficient in drilling. But scored the opener which eclipsed all the negatives.
Aubameyang - 6.5
Was quite anonymous in the first 45 minutes. Released Saka 1 on 1 but Bukayo was flagged offside.
HT. 1-0 to Arsenal. The Gunners have a narrow lead at the break and look a better side.
π 40-45+3'. Palace are trying to conjure something upfront but Arsenal don't look bothered at all by their attempts and defend composedly.
π 35-40'. Benteke gets a yellow card for bodychecking Saka. Elneny approaches the Palace striker to ask him a few questions and pushed away by the elbow. Both players get a yellow card. The VAR check decides that elbow by Benteke doesn't deserve a red card.
Santi (Goonersworld): "HOW IS THAT NOT A RED FOR BENTEKE NOW?"
theHotHead (Goonersworld): "f**k me you lot are desperate. Probably the right decision, he pushed out and brushed his chin, ut could've been given but it was hardly a cert."
π 35'. GOOOOOOAAAAL! PEPE! 1-0!
Saka and Tienrey play a lovely combination down the left to outsmart 3 opponents and Pepe connects Kieran's cross and slots the ball in.
π 31-35'. Auba releases Saka one-on-one with Guaita but the flag is raised by the linesman. Leno produces a huge save after the ball got a deflection off the defender.
π 25-30'. Zaha wins a free kick and Benteke heads the ball over the bar after meeting a cross inside the box.
π 20-25'. Palace produce another header, but his shot has not enough power and Leno claims the ball dead. Arsenal swing in a corner kick but the ball is cleared.
π15-20'. Arsenal are attacking down the right but Pepe doesn't look like he can dribble past people today.
π 10-15'. Arsenal have control of ball at Selhurst Park but are yet to create real danger.
Pamplemouse04 (Reddit): "We look eons better than them so far. How we are in the position we are this season is just mind-blowing."
captain_beefheart14: "I get that Tierney went down easy earlier, but itβs still a foul by Ward. Cunty of the CP fans to boo him when it was their guy that initiated the shenanigans."
π 11'. Ward clips Tierney after the whistle! Somehow not even a yellow card for the defender.
π 5-10'. Palace produce their first shot. The ball is headed wide. Zaha tried to dribble past Chambers but he gets support from a teammate who blocks the shot.
π 1-5'. Arsenal are on the front foot in the debut. The Gunners are attacking down both wings and through the middle. Just lacking the last accurate pass to create a first real chance. Schlupp got a yellow card for a harsh tackle on Chambers.
π 1'. Kickoff!
β½ Meanwhile, Willock scored again!
21y 272d - Joe Willock has now scored in six consecutive Premier League appearances, becoming the youngest player in the competition's history to do so at the age of 21 years and 272 days. (@Opta)
π Arsenal have won only one of the last seven Premier League matches officiated by Anthony Taylor W1 D4 L2 (@Orbinho)
Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Tomkins, Cahill, Mitchell, Kouyate, Schlupp, McCarthy, Townsend, Zaha, Benteke.
Arsenal XI: Leno, Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Elneny, Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Aubameyang.
π Hi, Gooners! Welcome to Tribuna.com's live coverage asΒ ArsenalΒ take onΒ Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
