DOWN - BUT NOT OUT!

Only a few minutes into the game and any confidence of a glorious evening at Selhurst Park started to drain from me, fast! Zaha predictively recovered from his 'injury' and looked hungry, Gallagher was running around like a Bulldog Terrier on speed and the Palace fans were in full voice. Things looked ominous. Meanwhile Arsenal players looked rushed, unsettled and overwhelmed. What we were witnessing was opening up old wounds that have yet to be healed as we looked totally over run and out of sorts.

A glimpse of hope arrived when the ball was hit down the right flank and was skilfully crossed in first time by Partey causing the ball to be pinged to the goal line, but no one was there. No one! And for me, there lies the major problem we all knew we had to overcome and would be the root to our downfall if not covered. If Ian wright was on the pitch we would be celebrating going one up. In fact, I have probably used a wrong example as this suggests, incorrectly, that it would take a world class striker to have taken advantage of this chance. However we had no player anywhere near the goal line, and the ball was dealt with by Palace. Lacazette just is not that person and it was hurting us. And to cruelly emphasise the point Palace were one up moments later, be it very fortuitous with a cross hitting the back of a head into the path of Mateta who headed it home. 'He hardly ever scores!' screamed the commentator. Shock!! How many players save all their goals for Arsenal!?!

The gloom deepened eight minutes later when Ayew doubled the lead and we looked down and out, and only 24 minutes had passed.

At least all my pre match tensions had now evaporated. Palace were everywhere, we were unrecognisable from what we have become accustomed to seeing as we struggled to string any passes together and gain any rhythm. I hate to single any players out, there were too many having a bad night.

However in the last ten minutes there appeared to be green shoots of recovery, we started to gain some control and hopes of an all important pre half time goal was a real possibility. It did not come, but after the nightmare of a show it produced a glimmer of light for the second half.

Confidence returned to Arsenal as they improved in the second half and took some control. Suddenly there was real promise. Just one goal and it would be all to play for, and at last the goal looked like it was coming. Arsenal on another attack had Saka falling in the penalty area, a push whilst running at speed is waved away and play continued. Zaha however not long later also fell in the area, the referee looked for a few seconds and blew his whistle, this challenge was not waved away. The goal that followed confirmed the result, and full credit must go to Crystal Palace for a fantastic performance.

It is of course never easy to witness a first half performance like this one. So many players underperformed, probably the worst Partey and Odegaard performances we have seen from them. It was also of course worrying to see Partey go off injured. With rumours of Tierney being long term injured again, and still no return in sight for Tomiyasu things seem to be spiralling out of control.

So let's step back and assess the damage. We have just come through a very successful period, enjoyed some fantastic performances and goals. Do we think the players will be throwing in the towel? Absolutely not! And as fans nor should we. We just cannot forget how Arsenal have been playing. They will be busting a gut to make up for last night and Saturdays game against Brighton cannot come quick enough where three points would give us all a huge boost. We are still in a healthy position, just as not as healthy as we would have liked with three points against a very good Crystal palace side. But this is football, this is The Arsenal, when, apart from the Invincible era, have they ever made it easy?

Ref Watch.

The main gripe this week is of course the decision not to even review the incident with Saka on VAR. Both players running at speed, there was a clear push causing Saka to fall. Alan Smith commentating pointed this out. If a commentator can see this, why can the VAR official not even consider this as an incident worthy of reviewing? As usual this is compounded by the slightest touch on Zaha resulting in him resorting to his favourite positon..laying on the floor. Just what was going through the referees mind as he waited a good few seconds before blowing for a penalty is anyone's guess.

Another incident to note that concerns my favourite subject, simulation. It occurred during the West Ham v Everton game. Richarleson dived, as he lay on the floor a clearly agitated Creswell waving his hands gesturing for him to get up decided to kick with all his might towards the ball that was now positioned in front of Richarleson's chest. There was absolutely nothing to gain from kicking the ball, he had clearly lost his temper and lashed out and his foot made contact with Richarleson. It was reckless at best, violent at worst. A real 'If that was Xhaka' moment. Richarleson responded by holding his face and rolling around. Creswell had made no contact with his face, another disgraceful example of simulation. The result should have been red for Creswell, and of course two yellow cards in the new quick succession rule for Richarleson for his double helping of simulation. Or does this only apply to Arsenal players?

So time to reflect, chill, breath. Maybe enjoy the European football this week and look forward to Arsenal providing a more positive vibe on Saturday.

Bye for now, and thanks for reading.

Rob