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Match Report

Barclays Premier League

Saturday, 21 February 2015,

Crystal Pal
1
-
Full Time
Live
-
2
Arsenal
  • Kickoff: 16:00 BST
  • Stadium: Selhurst Park
  • Referee: -
  • Stadium: Selhurst Park
  • Attendance: 24,721
  • 91' Glenn Murray
  • 8' Santi Cazorla - pen
  • 46' Olivier Giroud

Crystal Palace

Half time

Full time

Arsenal

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Jedinak could return for Palace

Crystal Palace could welcome back captain Mile Jedinak for Saturday's Premier League visit of Arsenal.

The midfielder picked up an ankle injury whilst helping Australia to Asia Cup success and is in line for his first Eagles appearance under Alan Pardew - as is Shola Ameobi who is now up to match fitness after joining in January.

James McArthur (thigh) could also be involved with Jonny Williams (groin) likely to miss out along with Yaya Sanogo, who is on loan from Arsenal and is therefore ineligible,

Pardew does not believe there will be any needle between him and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who have plenty of history.

"There's a man who has been a Premier League for I don't' know how many years, probably two more than he would care to remember," the Palace boss said.

"He is a winner and so am I, so when we clash we're going to clash. We both want to win and that's it. It ends there. We are professional football managers and we want to win. It will be the same on Saturday.

"The key to beating Arsenal is to be impatient at times, having enough attacking threat, controlling some of the game.

"They are in great form, the last five games they have won two more points than us.

"We're in decent form, it's at our place and we need to improve our home form. The focus at this ground is just about getting our fans in a great place.

Arsenal manager Wenger has welcomed the return of England midfielder Jack Wilshere from three months out with an ankle injury, but warned the "balance of the team" must always come first.

The 23-year-old has not played since needing an operation after hobbling off in the defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on November 22.

Wilshere, though, has come through his rehabilitation quicker than expected, and is expected to be involved again on Saturday afternoon.

Wenger has praised the way the player has dedicated himself to a speedy recovery, during which he made some unwanted headlines off the pitch after being photographed holding a shisha pipe at a nightclub.

It was not so long ago the dynamic midfielder would have been a certain starter in the Arsenal XI.

However, with the likes of Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez all in impressive form as Francis Coquelin shields the defence, Wenger accepts there can be no guarantees of selection for anyone.

"Jack is a bit ahead of schedule and has worked hard with no big problems, so it's good to have him back," said Wenger.

"It is always difficult to come back straightaway. What is good is that [he is] already back (earlier than expected).

"That injury was on the left ankle. He had all his problems on the right ankle.

"It is a straightforward injury - once it's healed, there's no problem."

Wenger, though, added: "No matter who plays, you always worry first about the balance of the team, yes."

The Arsenal manager hopes Wilshere can put the negative headlines behind him.

"I don't know how everybody is but I think every professional footballer has to control his life and dedicate it to the game," Wenger said.

Arsenal can expect a stern test of their top-four credentials at Selhurst Park against a side which is now well organised and hard to break down under new manager Pardew.

Wenger said: "They have found confidence again and they made positive results and that is what it is about when you are a manager.

"We always expect a passionate afternoon there."

91'+5

End Regular Time

91'+4

Glenn Murray (Crystal Palace) hits the right post with a header from very close range. Assisted by Yannick Bolasie with a cross.

91'+4

Yannick Bolasie (Crystal Palace) Assists Shot at 95'

91'+3

1 - 2

Goal! Crystal Palace 1, Arsenal 2. Glenn Murray (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner following a corner.

91'+3

Attempt blocked. Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

91'+3

Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) Corner Kick at 94'

91'+1

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 92'

91'+1

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 92'

91'+1

Attempt missed. Glenn Murray (Crystal Palace) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jason Puncheon with a cross.

91'+1

Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) Assists Shot at 92'

91'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 91'

91'

Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 91'

91'

Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 91'

91'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 91'

91'

David Ospina (Arsenal) Free Kick at 91'

90'

Offside, Crystal Palace. Scott Dann tries a through ball, but Glenn Murray is caught offside.

90'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 90'

90'

Glenn Murray (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.

89'

Attempt missed. Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a set piece situation.

89'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 89'

89'

Substitution, Arsenal. Gabriel Paulista replaces Alexis Sánchez.

88'

Foul by Pape Souaré (Crystal Palace).

88'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 88'

88'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 88'

88'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 88'

87'

Attempt saved. Glenn Murray (Crystal Palace) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jordon Mutch with a cross.

87'

Jordon Mutch (Crystal Palace) Assists Shot at 87'

87'

Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Laurent Koscielny.

87'

Julian Speroni (Crystal Palace) Corner Kick at 87'

86'

Attempt saved. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Santiago Cazorla with a cross.

86'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Assists Shot at 86'

86'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 86'

86'

Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the right wing.

86'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 86'

85'

Calum Chambers

84'

Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 84'

83'

Attempt saved. Yannick Bolasie (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

82'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 82'

82'

Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 82'

82'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Throw In at 82'

82'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 82'

81'

Santiago Cazorla (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

81'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 81'

80'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 80'

80'

Substitution, Crystal Palace. Shola Ameobi replaces Joe Ledley.

79'

Substitution, Crystal Palace. Glenn Murray replaces Dwight Gayle.

79'

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.

78'

Attempt blocked. Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.

78'

Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 78'

78'

Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 78'

77'

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.

77'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 77'

77'

Substitution, Arsenal. Kieran Gibbs replaces Danny Welbeck.

76'

Substitution, Arsenal. Tomas Rosicky replaces Mesut Özil.

75'

Santiago Cazorla (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

75'

Attempt missed. Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.

74'

Joe Ledley (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

74'

Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 74'

74'

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 74'

73'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 73'

72'

Attempt blocked. Scott Dann (Crystal Palace) header from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Jason Puncheon with a cross.

72'

Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) Assists Shot at 72'

72'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Corner Kick at 72'

72'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 72'

72'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 72'

71'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 71'

70'

Attempt missed. Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Pape Souaré with a cross.

70'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Assists Shot at 70'

69'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 69'

68'

David Ospina (Arsenal) Free Kick at 68'

68'

Santiago Cazorla (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

68'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 68'

67'

Attempt missed. Yannick Bolasie (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Jason Puncheon.

67'

Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) Assists Shot at 67'

64'

Attempt missed. Jordon Mutch (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Wilfried Zaha with a cross.

64'

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) Assists Shot at 64'

63'

Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 63'

62'

Attempt blocked. Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Yannick Bolasie with a cross.

62'

Yannick Bolasie (Crystal Palace) Assists Shot at 62'

62'

Julian Speroni (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 62'

62'

Foul by Olivier Giroud (Arsenal).

62'

Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 61'

60'

Attempt blocked. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

60'

Attempt blocked. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Calum Chambers.

60'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Assists Shot at 60'

60'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 60'

59'

David Ospina (Arsenal) Free Kick at 59'

59'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

59'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 59'

58'

Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 58'

58'

Offside, Arsenal. Laurent Koscielny tries a through ball, but Olivier Giroud is caught offside.

57'

Substitution, Crystal Palace. Yannick Bolasie replaces Fraizer Campbell because of an injury.

57'

Attempt missed. Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Mesut Özil following a fast break.

57'

Mesut Özil (Arsenal) Assists Shot at 57'

57'

Attempt blocked. Jordon Mutch (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

56'

Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 56'

56'

Olivier Giroud

56'

Foul by Olivier Giroud (Arsenal).

55'

Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) Corner Kick at 55'

55'

Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Per Mertesacker.

55'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 55'

54'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 54'

53'

Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Santiago Cazorla.

53'

Attempt blocked. Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

52'

Jordon Mutch (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 52'

52'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 52'

52'

Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

51'

Mesut Özil (Arsenal) hits the bar with a header from the centre of the box. Assisted by Alexis Sánchez with a cross.

51'

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) Assists Shot at 51'

51'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 51'

50'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Throw In at 50'

50'

Joe Ledley (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 50'

50'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 50'

50'

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 50'

48'

Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Olivier Giroud.

48'

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) Corner Kick at 48'

48'

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) Corner Kick at 48'

48'

Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Nacho Monreal.

47'

Jordon Mutch (Crystal Palace) Corner Kick at 48'

47'

Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Nacho Monreal.

47'

Attempt blocked. Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is blocked. Assisted by Fraizer Campbell.

47'

Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) Assists Shot at 47'

47'

David Ospina (Arsenal) Free Kick at 47'

46'

Offside, Crystal Palace. Jason Puncheon tries a through ball, but Fraizer Campbell is caught offside.

46'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Throw In at 46'

46'

Start 2nd Half

46'+2

Halftime

46'+1

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 47'

46'

0 - 2

Goal! Crystal Palace 0, Arsenal 2. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner.

46'

Attempt saved. Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Alexis Sánchez with a through ball.

46'

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) Assists Shot at 46'

45'

Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 45'

44'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 44'

44'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 44'

44'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 44'

44'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 44'

43'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 43'

43'

Attempt blocked. Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

42'

Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) Corner Kick at 42'

42'

Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Laurent Koscielny.

42'

Attempt blocked. Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.

42'

Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 42'

42'

Julian Speroni (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 42'

41'

Offside, Arsenal. Danny Welbeck tries a through ball, but Mesut Özil is caught offside.

40'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 40'

40'

Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 40'

40'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 40'

39'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 39'

38'

Attempt missed. Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a set piece situation.

38'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 38'

37'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.

37'

Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 37'

36'

Foul by Olivier Giroud (Arsenal).

36'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 36'

36'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 36'

35'

Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 35'

35'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 35'

35'

David Ospina (Arsenal) Free Kick at 35'

34'

Offside, Crystal Palace. Jordon Mutch tries a through ball, but Fraizer Campbell is caught offside.

34'

David Ospina (Arsenal) Free Kick at 34'

33'

Hand ball by Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace).

33'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 33'

32'

Attempt blocked. Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Mesut Özil.

32'

Mesut Özil (Arsenal) Assists Shot at 32'

31'

Scott Dann (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 31'

31'

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

30'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 30'

30'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Throw In at 30'

30'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 30'

29'

Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 29'

28'

Francis Coquelin

28'

Fraizer Campbell (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the left wing.

28'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 28'

27'

Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

27'

Attempt missed. Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from long range on the left is high and wide to the right from a direct free kick.

26'

Fraizer Campbell (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the left wing.

26'

Fraizer Campbell (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 26'

26'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 26'

25'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 25'

24'

Attempt missed. Fraizer Campbell (Crystal Palace) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Jordon Mutch.

24'

Jordon Mutch (Crystal Palace) Assists Shot at 24'

24'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 24'

23'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Throw In at 23'

23'

David Ospina (Arsenal) Free Kick at 23'

23'

Foul by Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace).

22'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 22'

22'

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.

21'

Attempt missed. Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Olivier Giroud with a headed pass following a corner.

21'

Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Assists Shot at 21'

21'

Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Damien Delaney.

20'

Scott Dann (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 20'

20'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Throw In at 20'

19'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 19'

19'

Jordon Mutch

19'

Foul by Joe Ledley (Crystal Palace).

18'

Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 18'

18'

Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 18'

17'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 17'

17'

Julian Speroni (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 17'

16'

Foul by Calum Chambers (Arsenal).

16'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 16'

15'

David Ospina (Arsenal) Free Kick at 15'

15'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

15'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 15'

14'

Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 14'

14'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 14'

14'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 14'

12'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Throw In at 12'

12'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Throw In at 12'

11'

Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 11'

11'

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.

10'

Attempt blocked. Fraizer Campbell (Crystal Palace) header from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Dwight Gayle with a cross.

10'

Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) Assists Shot at 10'

10'

Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Danny Welbeck.

10'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Corner Kick at 10'

9'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 9'

8'

0 - 1

Goal! Crystal Palace 0, Arsenal 1. Santiago Cazorla (Arsenal) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.

7'

Penalty conceded by Pape Souaré (Crystal Palace) after a foul in the penalty area.

6'

David Ospina (Arsenal) Free Kick at 6'

6'

Foul by Joel Ward (Crystal Palace).

6'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 6'

6'

Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 6'

6'

Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) Blocked Pass at 6'

5'

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Throw In at 5'

5'

Attempt missed. Pape Souaré (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a set piece situation.

5'

Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 5'

4'

Fraizer Campbell (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the left wing.

4'

Pape Souare (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 4'

4'

Julian Speroni (Crystal Palace) Free Kick at 4'

3'

Offside, Arsenal. Alexis Sánchez tries a through ball, but Mesut Özil is caught offside.

3'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 3'

2'

Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) Throw In at 2'

1'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 1'

1'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 1'

1'

First Half begins.

Show all commentary

Possession

53%
47%
  • Crystal Palace
  • Arsenal

Shots

22
12

Shots on target

3
4

Fouls

15
14

Corners

10
1

Yellow Cards

1
3

Red Cards

0
0

Head to Head

Crystal Pal1 - 2Arsenal
Arsenal2 - 1Crystal Pal
Arsenal2 - 0Crystal Pal
Crystal Pal0 - 2Arsenal
Arsenal5 - 1Crystal Pal
Crystal Pal1 - 1Arsenal

Crystal Pal

  • 1Julian Speroni
  • 6Scott Dann
  • 2Joel Ward
  • 27Damien Delaney
  • 40Pape Souare
  • 16Dwight Gayle
  • -> Glenn Murray
  • 11Wilfried Zaha
  • 10Fraizer Campbell
  • -> Yannick Bolasie
  • 42Jason Puncheon
  • 22Jordon Mutch
  • 28Joe Ledley
  • -> Shola Ameobi
  • Subs
  • 34Martin Kelly
  • 15Mile Jedinak
  • 4Brede Hangeland
  • 13Wayne Hennessey

Arsenal

  • 13David Ospina
  • 18Nacho Monreal
  • 21Calum Chambers
  • 6Laurent Koscielny
  • 4Per Mertesacker
  • 19Santi Cazorla
  • 34Francis Coquelin
  • 11Mesut Özil
  • -> Tomas Rosicky
  • 17Alexis Sánchez
  • -> Gabriel Paulista
  • 23Danny Welbeck
  • -> Kieran Gibbs
  • 12Olivier Giroud
  • Subs
  • 10Jack Wilshere
  • 39Hector Bellerin
  • 14Theo Walcott
  • 1Wojciech Szczesny

Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal moved up to third in the Barclays Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.

The Gunners went ahead through an early penalty from Santi Cazorla following a trip by Pape Souare on Danny Welbeck, which the Palace bench protested had been just outside the area.

Referee Mark Clattenburg and his assistant were central to another big call on the stroke of half-time when Welbeck was waved onside and Olivier Giroud netted a second from the rebound after the England forward's shot had been blocked.

Palace showed plenty of endeavour to try to get back into the match, and grabbed a stoppage-time consolation through substitute Glenn Murray, who then hit the post with a flying header as Arsenal held on to close out victory to climb back above Southampton, who play Liverpool on Sunday, and Manchester United, beaten at Swansea.

The tone for what was a hard-fought contest was set early when Fraizer Campbell was caught on the chest by a high boot from Francis Coquelin, Arsenal's new midfield enforcer.

However, Clattenburg gave only a free-kick and no card - much to the disbelief of the Palace bench.

The home management team could then not believe it moments later when Arsenal were awarded a penalty.

Souare, making his Premier League debut after signing from Lille, came across to try to block Welbeck, but tripped the Arsenal forward as he darted away down the right.

The initial contact looked right on the edge of the penalty area, and Clattenburg immediately pointed to the spot.

Cazorla made no mistake from the spot as he sent Julian Speroni the wrong way for his seventh goal of the season.

Palace looked to make an instant response, pushing Arsenal back with some direct balls into the danger area.

Coquelin eventually went into the notebook for a late trip on Campbell as the match continued to be played with plenty of positive aggression.

Arsenal doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time.

Alexis Sanchez played a perfectly-weighted pass into the left side of the penalty area for Welbeck, who was adjudged onside as he ran across the Palace backline.

The England forward sent in a low, angled drive, which Speroni palmed out and Giroud was alert to get to the loose ball ahead of three defenders to stab home his 50th Arsenal goal.

Palace looked to make a positive start to the second half, and pushed Arsenal back as Wilfried Zaha caused problems down the right channel, forcing a string of corners before a looping header from Mesut Ozil dropped onto the top of the crossbar.

The German, who has returned from a knee injury a much stronger player, broke away on 57 minutes and fed Sanchez on the overlap down the left.

Arsenal's leading scorer burst into the box and then stabbed the ball just wide of the far post, when both Welbeck and Giroud were screaming for a pass.

Palace were forced into a change when Campbell limped off with what looked like a hamstring problem and was replaced by Yannick Bolasie.

There was a stoppage when David Ospina went down a few minutes after the goalkeeper had come racing out of his penalty area to jump over Per Mertesacker and head a long ball clear.

After some treatment for what appeared to be a back problem, play continued.

Palace continued to push Arsenal back, as Dwight Gayle sent a bullet header just over before Jason Puncheon's 20-yard free-kick curled just wide.

With 15 minutes left, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, whose side host Monaco in the Champions League next week, looked to shore up the side as defender Kieran Gibbs came on for Welbeck and Ozil was replaced by Tomas Rosicky.

Palace boss Alan Pardew sent on Murray for Gayle and Shola Ameobi made his debut to replace Joe Ledley.

Murray saw a late close-range header saved on the line by Ospina, who was then beaten in another goalmouth scramble during five minutes of added time.

Palace almost snatched a dramatic equaliser at the death as Ospina flapped at a left-wing cross, which Murray crashed against the base of the post with a flying header.

ends




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