Positives & negatives as Arsenal draw 2-2 against Crystal Palace

Positive #3: No fresh injuries

A clean bill ranked high on the list of Arsenal priorities.

Some might question Arteta for his strong team-sheet and he would have definitely drawn criticism if any key players got injured here. However, six days is quite a long gap to the PSG tie and players need to be kept sharp in the meantime.

The boss felt that way and almost picked his best eleven, with Bukayo Saka being the only first-choice player to be held in reserve. For now, it seems the ‘gamble’ did not backfire even if we still failed to claim the three points.

There could yet be worries over Ben White and Mikel Merino, both of whom did not make the squad for the Palace fixture. But if they recover in time for PSG, then Arteta will have as strong a hand as he did for Real Madrid – minus Thomas Partey – and can be confident of enjoying another memorable night in Europe next week.

Negative #3: More points dropped

Could Arsenal be dragged into the top five struggle?

This campaign began with title talk and, even in recent weeks, most discourse has centred on when Arsenal might mathematically lose the title to Liverpool rather than what is behind us.

But a third draw in four Premier League matches has let the UCL chasers catch up somewhat and – if Chelsea win their game in hand – reduced our buffer to seven points. Consider, too, how the Gunners still have to face the Reds and Newcastle and suddenly one might begin to panic about our place in the UCL next year.

There is every chance Arsenal will be fine – we will surely pick up some points between now and the end of this season and the teams below will likely drop points, especially when they play each other (Chelsea go to Newcastle in two weeks).

However, the fact that it remains in doubt is hugely frustrating – as well as being of our own making – and Arteta will likely lament how his strong team could not quash any such fears against a likewise distracted Crystal Palace team here.

If we win the Champions League, none of it matters anyway…   

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