Some of the paper tickets for this match at the Emirates Stadium misspelled ‘CRYSTAL Palace’. There are no such errors on the Arsenal pitch.
There is no sign of surrender that many expected. Although slight, there are no signs of wheels pulling out of Arsenal’s title challenge.
With eight points remaining at the Premier League Summit, they have ten games to go after this most clinical victory over Palace.
If Arsenal stutters, they’re leaving it in a bloody state.
Of course, whether the Gunners can beat Manchester City to clinch their first championship since 2004 is a sticky point for Palace.
Bukayo Saka found the net twice as Arsenal secured a comfortable win over Palace
Gabriel Martinelli also scored, giving them the lead with a left-footed shot into the corner.
Granito Xhaka scores in a spectacular one-two with Leandro Trossar
The fact that the ‘y’ and ‘s’ positions in ‘Crystal’ have been swapped here in many away supporters’ tickets is equally irrelevant.
The palace has far greater concerns. They are dozing off in the relegation battle, with the club currently three points behind 18th-placed West Ham.
Patrick Vieira paid the ultimate price for his team’s terrible form when he was sacked on Friday.
As Sportsmail revealed last week, Return of Roy Hodgsonresigned his position two years ago to make way for Vieira, but has not been discounted.
But why would Hodgson, who is 75 and retired, need this kind of attack? If he had seen this, you wouldn’t blame him for having reservations.
The palace was adamant for a while. Wilfred Zaha was unfortunately unable to put the Eagles ahead in the 11th minute, as he bounced off Aaron Ramsdale and tried to push in at the near post before going into the corner and his effort hit the post.
Hopefully the ball bounces off the keeper and onto the inside of the post. Suffice it to say that the ball is not rolling for Palace at this point.
As a result, Vieira was given the order to depart. Vieira is a legend this side of north London, and in fact home supporters were delighted to sing the famous song about the Frenchman at various junctures here.
Of course, that would be a small consolation for Vieira, who believed she could stabilize the ship in trouble.
For the time being, the job of leading Palace has been given to U21 coach Paddy McCarthy.
His audition for a job here started with promising signs. Shortly after Zaha’s chance, Odonne his Edouard was blocked by Ramsdale, but eventually cleared, albeit ruled offside.
Geoffrey Schlapp scored a goal for Palace in the second half but the visitors were well beaten
Wilfried Zaha came close several times in the first half, hitting the post but failing to find a goal
Hodgson is waiting to replace McCarthy.
Heading into the weekend, he was favored among influential members of the club hierarchy as a possible replacement for Vieira until the end of the season.
They’re keeping options open for the international break – in fact, heading into this clash, Palace wanted to give McCarthy a fair shot of the whip to make the job his own.
And for about 25 minutes, the former Republic of Ireland defender didn’t miss a chance and didn’t miss a chance.
Cheick Doucoure put up a good performance in midfield but Zaha was in trouble.
But Palace were blown away when Arsenal shifted gears – and McCarthy’s hopes of a longer term in the hot seat were dealt four devastating blows.
First, Gabriel Martinelli put his team ahead in the 28th minute with a powerful angled drive from Bukayo Saka’s cutback.
Paddy McCarthy tentatively in dugout but failed to lead team to victory
And just before half-time, Ben White’s pass sent Saka Coolly past Whitworth to double Arsenal’s lead.
game over. Palace have not scored in four games since December and have not scored twice in one. They weren’t going to buck that trend now.
It became another routine afternoon for Arsenal.
Saka were at their best, showcasing the pure poetry of Odegaard in central midfield, but despite the early fears, their defense was – Rob Holding’s first of the season in the absence of the injured William Saliba. The start in the league – was almost perfect.
Zaha once again looked like Palace’s most likely and his effort in the 53rd minute forced Ramsdale to make an instinctive save.
However, the palace was finally blown away. Grant Xhaka added a third in the 55th minute, converting Leandro Trossar’s through ball to put an end to Arsenal’s concerns.
Thanks to Palace they gave it a try. A bundled effort from Geoffrey Schrup cut the deficit in the 63rd minute.
Had Zaha seized a window of opportunity nine minutes later, McCarthy’s desire to keep working might have improved.
As it happened, Saka killed all Palace hopes of a counterattack, completing the scoring in the 74th minute when he rifled home substitute Kieran Tierney’s pass.
Saka season is gaining momentum. A brilliant young footballer with a great personality.
Arsenal pull off a commanding win to extend their lead to eight points
Mikel Arteta delighted to see his team bounce back from mid-week Europa League exit
Each palace has its own talented young players. Michael Olise has all the qualities of a top 4 player. Similarly, Eberechi Eze, who came on as a substitute, would have scored for England by now had he not been injured.
But at this rate they will be lucky not to play championship football next season.
Is Hodgson the answer? perhaps. maybe not.
What is certain is that Arsenal responded emphatically to another question here on Sunday.
