Guest Post by Obiweluozo Martins
Arsenal were in fine form against Crystal Palace as Roy Hodgson’s men were dealt a blow at the Emirates as the January transfer window continues to make the rounds in Europe at the moment.
With the home side set to lose Alexis Sanchez to arch-rivals Manchester United, the forward was left out of the starting line-up.
However, the Gunners won 4-1 against the London side at home after losing 3-0 at Selhurst last season. This result might have restored some level of confidence at the club as goals from the quartet of Nacho Monreal, Alex Iwobi, skipper Laurent Koscielny and striker Alexander Lacazette set the tone for a famous 4-1 win.
With the 4-1 victory over (Crystal) Palace, we take a look at three significant Points.
ARSENAL OUTCLASS CRYSTAL PALACE
The Gunners showed their quality against the visitors as they scored four goals in quick succession very early in the game.
Crystal Palace though got a consolation goal through Luka Milivojevic in the 78th minute but Arsenal’s superiority was evident as they tore apart the opposition.
Jack Wilshere ran the show in midfield as they dominated the game with their technical prowess. The (ball) Possession indicates how the home side held play in transition as they dictated the flow of the match in the midfield to down Crystal Palace at home.
CLASSY MESUT OZIL
The German playmaker was at the Engine for Arsenal as he linked up the midfield to the attack. Ozil’s pass (back flick) set-up Alexander Lacazette for the fourth goal as the home side showed some sort of freestyling on the field with their super flow of brilliance.
The midfielder showed his immense talent and playmaking ability as he wowed the visitors with his silky touches in transition to set-up goals in the contest.
With Alexis Sanchez probably leaving the Emirates Stadium in few hours only the player (Ozil) knows whether he is trying to play himself into the transfer window as United and Barcelona are still searching for attacking options with Henrikh Mkhitaryan set to move this January possibly to the Emirates Stadium.
FIRST WIN IN 2018
The Gunners finally won a football match in the New Year. The North London club since the turn of the New Year has not won a match as they drew goalless with Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg coupled with a 2-2 draw with them at the Emirates Stadium as Hector Bellerin scored to salvage the match for Arsenal in the closing moments of the game.
The Gunners were knocked out of FA Cup after suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest. Arsene Wenger’s side also lost 2-1 at Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth last weekend prompting lots of questions and transfer deliberations in the wake of the defeat.
With this 4-1 win, Arsenal secured their first win of the Calendar year as transfer uncertainties continue to unfold around the club.
