Positives and negatives as Arsenal record a brilliant 1-0 win against Crystal Palace

Arsenal claimed a fourth successive Premier League win on Sunday as they edged past Crystal Palace 1-0 at Emirates Stadium.

Fine Palace organisation meant a bit of patience was in order and a passive setup let the Eagles settle rather quick, with some home sloppiness on the ball giving them a few chances to stretch the much-hyped Gunners backline.  

It nearly led to an away lead at times, though Munoz had strayed offside during one breakaway and Adam Wharton dragged a long-range effort wide. The only Arsenal ‘riposte’ would come via Leandro Trossard, whose tame shot was easily saved by Dean Henderson.

But the breakthrough did come in a most inevitable form: another brilliant set-piece that was met by Gabriel and finished by Eberechi Eze against his former club – a delightful, volleyed strike unbefitting of a sluggish first half.

Gunners pressure ramped up after the break and Gabriel (again) was the width of the crossbar from doubling the advantage. Glasner’s men stayed in the contest but never really threatened to get that all-important equaliser and, ultimately, the match petered out to grant Arteta a valuable three points in the title race.

So, 1-0 to the Arsenal again! Here are two positives and three negatives from what was an excellent Premier League win.     

Positive #1: Arsenal made of strong stuff

This fixture looked like quite the banana skin.

No one needs reminding of the threat Palace pose, but results elsewhere – Liverpool losing away to Brentford on Saturday; Manchester City suffering a loss at Aston Villa – made it critical that Arsenal would find a way to win.

And find one they did. In fact, they did more than that as the Gunners were by far the stronger side in the second half and kept Palace at arm’s length, with Arteta perhaps only being unlucky that his men could not add to their lead.

That is not something one can normally say of Arsenal. Often, the team fails to take advantage or at the very least makes life uncomfortable for themselves (remember the extreme time-wasting tactics of recent years?).

But here they grew in confidence as the match wore on and did what they do best: left a dangerous Palace team without a shot on target. It was a measured, mature collective push which kept one of the most in-form sides in the league at bay.

Arsenal have all the ingredients to go the distance.

Negative #1: Mixed game for Eberechi Eze

He lit up the game with a wondergoal on 39 minutes but it only added gloss to a mixed individual performance.

On Sunday, the stage was set for his Arsenal career to truly ignite and Eze did not make it count. His early involvement saw a couple of heavy touches and he gave the ball away in poor areas, while he also failed to make the most of his opportunities upon finding space in and around the Palace box.

There was improvement after the break – both on an individual and collective level – and he showed signs of flair as the Gunners turned the screw. But it still left the fans wanting more and they know he has so much more to give.

Amid strong competition in the squad, the Martin Odegaard injury afforded Eze a run in the side that he is yet to capitalise on. Maybe netting his first league goal in Arsenal colours will help to bring out the best in him.

It will all work out.

Positive #2: More than a win

Three points is all that matters for Arsenal but there is much, much more to like about this win for Mikel Arteta.

First, the matter if it being *quite* comfortable against a Crystal Palace side which, up until a loss at Everton earlier this month, were on a 19-game unbeaten run in all competitions stretching back to April.

Secondly, it came less than 24 hours after the champions lost at Brentford and the Gunners knew a win would send them seven points clear of Liverpool. The fact Manchester City lost too only adds to the magnitude of this result.

The pressure was truly on to deliver on Sunday and, despite a few shaky first-half moments, Arsenal did so with great professionalism. They have led themselves to a four-point lead after nine matches and it seems they are ready to go one step further this campaign.

Leave the champagne on ice, but this weekend could prove to be a defining moment in the Premier League title race.  

Negative #2: Letting Crystal Palace into the game

Credit must go to Oliver Glasner as his Palace team are a tough nut to crack and Arsenal were very wary of their threat.

However, they were likewise granted some undue hope from the hosts who frequently coughed up possession in poor areas – Eze and Martin Zubimendi being two players that had their blushes spared by those behind them.

The Gunners were lacklustre early on and perhaps justifiably so when one considers the threat posed by Palace on the counter attack. But the invited pressure led to mistakes which almost let the visitors in during the first half and a bit more composure would have left Arsenal with a mountain to climb in the second 45.

Things got much better after the break though, so Arteta does deserve kudos for stifling the Palace game plan in the end.

Negative #3: William Saliba withdrawn

That much-lauded squad depth is being tested.

After intense pre-match speculation over the fitness of Gabriel, it was his defensive partner, William Saliba, who required an early exit.

There was nothing obvious about it in the first-half, but the Frenchman did not come back out for the second half as Cristhian Mosquera came off the bench.

Arteta had no update to offer fans in his post-match press conference and, of course, both Mosquera and Piero Hincapie can deputise if he is out long term. Yet it is frustrating that players keep picking up knocks and Saliba is one player (among many) who the boss will hope he does not have to manage without moving forward.

It could actually suit the club in the medium term: the international break is fast approaching; might Saliba be staying at home?

Fingers crossed.