CRYSTAL PALACE   0

ARSENAL   2 (Arteta p 46, Giroud 88)

 

AS expected, Arsenal returned to winning ways following their midweek defeat to Borussia Dortmund. But they were made to work hard for all three points by managerless Crystal Palace.

 

The Gunners had few clear cut chances in the first half, and had to dig deep for the win that maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League.

An Olivier Giroud header eventually made the game safe on 87 minutes to follow up Mikel Arteta's penalty just after the restart. 

 

Serge Gnabry – a 7th minute replacement for the groin-strained Mathieu Flamini drew a foul from Palace midfielder Adlene Guedioura, and Arteta cooly slotted home from the penalty spot to make it 1-0 Arsenal in the 47th minute.

 

But, Arteta was controversially sent off just after the hour mark for a last man foul on former Gunners misfit Marouane Chamakh. 

 

After the match, Arsene Wenger was clearly unhappy at Arteta's dismissal.

 

"We have good grounds for appeal" said the Frenchman. "It was the wrong decision because it wasn't a goal scoring opportunity. The referee (Chris Foy) got it wrong."

 

The sending off unsurprisingly rallied Palace, and Wenger needed to retake control of the game, taking off his two wide men.

 

Jack Wilshere came on for Gnabry, while Nacho Monreal replaced the ineffective Santi Cazorla. The Spaniard did not look too pleased at being benched, but Arsenal were suddenly up against an inspired home side and a passionate crowd, and it was still only 1-0.

 

Wenger was grateful to Wojciech Szczesny for pulling off two stunning saves  to deny Joel Ward and then Mile Jedinak as Palace went in search of what would have been a deserved equaliser.

 

But, Arsenal's class told three minutes from time. 

 

An otherwise quiet Aaron Ramsey broke away on the left and delivered a precision cross for Giroud to head Arsenal into an unassailable 2-0 lead. 

Giroud ran towards the jubilant Gunners fans who rose as one to acclaim a side who were staying on 'top of the league'.

 

Despite Arsenal's great start to the season, Wenger maintained an element of caution.

 

"It's a good feeling (to be top) but there is no massive significance. The only thing we can do is win our games." said Wenger.

"The players are ambitious, and always want to win in style. But it's not always possible."

 

This victory at Selhurst Park was a point in question, but it still showed that Arsenal can win without playing particularly well. That, as we all know, is the sign of a good team and one who look poised to have a good season.

 

Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Flamini (Gnabry 7 – Wilshere 69), Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla (Monreal 72); Giroud. 

 

Subs not used:  Fabianski, Vermaelen, Rosicky, Bendtner

 

Attendance: 25,050