Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Crystal Palace: 5 things we learned – Slick, smooth football enthralls

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal with Mesut Ozil and team mates during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal with Mesut Ozil and team mates during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Nacho Monreal of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Nacho Monreal of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

2. Returnees change this team greatly

Injuries are a part of football. Arsenal, more than most clubs, are well aware of that. It is why managers are keen to build squads and not just teams. They are aware that fatigue, suspensions, and injuries will require heavy rotation to deal with throughout the year. But that does not make it any less harmful when several starting players are all ruled out simultaneously as Arsenal recently did.

Thankfully, their two most senior and dependable defenders returned to the starting line-up on Saturday: Nacho Monreal was re-introduced after recovering from an ankle injury, even though he was withdrawn after just half an hour; Laurent Koscielny’s bum Achilles had obviously subsided for him to rejoin Shkodran Mustafi at the heart of the defence. Both were excellent.

Monreal, in the short time that he was on the pitch, scored the opening goal, created three chances in total, two of which were assists, and departed with the game already over. Koscielny also got on the scoresheet, adding the game-ending third, and looked composed and assured in his defending throughout. It is very welcome to see both return to the starting XI. Speaking of players that it was nice to see back on the football pitch…