da supremo：
da prosport bet： With results, on the whole, not having gone Arsenal’s way on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the Gunners entered their clash with Crystal Palace outside of the top four. Given that a few weeks ago the north London club were being talked about as one of the strongest title contenders in the division, Arsene Wenger really needed a win against Sam Allardyce’s Eagles, and that’s exactly what he got.Arsenal were utterly dominant at the Emirates Stadium, enjoying 64% of the possession while playing almost twice as many passes as their opponents, and goals from Olivier Giroud – a contender for Goal of the Season – and Alex Iwobi secured three points that moved the club back up to third in the table and within nine points of leaders Chelsea.It was not the most competitive of matches and Arsenal will face firmer tests throughout 2017, but here are FIVE great pictures from a pretty enthralling game…
Ou la la…
We might not see a better goal in 2017, and that is some statement considering the New Year has only just begun! Giroud’s opener vs. Palace was sublime, with the Frenchman showing great ingenuity, athleticism and technique to divert a pretty poor Sanchez ball into the net with a wonderful flicked effort.
He enjoyed the goal, too!
Super Sanchez
As mentioned in the last slide, Sanchez played a role in the opening goal. The Chilean wasn’t quite at his best against Palace, but his pace and movement from a wide role gave the Eagles all manner of headaches at the Emirates Stadium. Moved from his the striker berth he has shone in this season, the ex-Barcelona man could offer the Gunners a new dimension over the coming weeks from wide.
Benteke frustration
The big money Belgian was, and will be for the rest of the season, Palace’s attacking focal point. The former Liverpool man was a nuisance in the Gunners’ box and really tested the Arsenal defenders with his physicality. Early in the second-half he connected with an Andros Townsend cross and really should have done better with his header, which drifted wide of goal.
He was clearly annoyed afterwards and kicked out at the post in frustration
Iwobi makes his mark
Drafted in as Wenger rotated his options, Iwobi needed to take his chance, and he did in the second-half. The Nigerian winger was assisted by some static Palace defending, but did well to direct his header into the net.
He celebrated in style, too.
Table looking sweet
Going into their game with Palace, Arsenal had fallen into fifth, just one point ahead of Manchester United. However, with the division so tight at the top end, the Gunners’ victory took them back up to third, giving the table a more healthy look for those in the red half of north London.