The Gunners hadn’t lost against Palace since 1979 and Giroud’s spectacular strike plus Palace captain Delaney’s own goal ensured that Wenger leaves Selhurst Park with a smile. PHOTO: REUTERS
Arsenal got back on track after their opening day meltdown as Olivier Giroud’s superb volley inspired a 2-1 Premier League win against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Arsene Wenger’s side were embarrassed by a woeful 2-0 home defeat against West Ham United last weekend, but they went some way to restoring their confidence with a gritty display at Selhurst Park.
While it was still far from a vintage Arsenal performance, there were reasons for Wenger to be encouraged — none more significant than the memorable strike from much-criticised France forward Giroud which opened the scoring in the first half.
Also heartening for Wenger was the way Arsenal refused to be shaken by Joel Ward’s excellent equaliser, keeping their equilibrium to regain the lead through a Damien Delaney own goal and holding firm in the closing stages to secure their first win of the season.
The Gunners hadn’t lost at Palace since 1979 and extending that run was essential as Wenger’s team try to avoid a repeat of the slow start that shattered their title challenge last season.
Key to Arsenal’s hopes of a first title since 2004 is the form of Alexis Sanchez and the Chile winger, making a belated maiden start of the season after his country’s victorious Copa America campaign, was quickly back in the thick of the action.
Sanchez threatened to double Arsenal’s lead when he cut in from the right to fire a low shot that McCarthy pushed away.
But Arsenal’s Achilles heel remains their fragile defence and they were exposed again in the 28th minute as Palace, out-played for much of the first half, suddenly found themselves level.
With Arsenal’s defence fatally backing off too far, Yannick Bolasie was able to chest down to McArthur, who teed up Ward on the edge of the area and the right-back drilled a superb strike beyond Petr Cech into the far corner.
However, all that became history as Arsenal enjoyed a stroke of good fortune to go back in front in the 55th minute when Sanchez’s downward header from Hector Bellerin’s cross was diverted into his own net by Palace captain Delaney.
In the final minutes, Palace threatened Arsenal but the Gunners had learnt their lesson and kept their composure to register their first win of the season.
Rodgers schools new boys in magic of Anfield
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has given his new players a sneak preview of Anfield ahead of their first Premier League home game of the season against Bournemouth on Monday.
Rodgers handed competitive debuts to five new signings in last weekend’s 1-0 win at Stoke City, which saw Liverpool prevail courtesy of a memorable long-range strike by Philippe Coutinho in the 86th minute.
Liverpool encountered some difficulties at home last season, losing four games and drawing five, and in a bid to help the new recruits acclimatise to the famous stadium, Rodgers held a training session there on Friday.
“I felt it was important for our new players, and the new staff, to acquaint themselves with Anfield,” said the Northern Irishman. “They know how special it is. They trained well last night [Friday] and obviously we’re looking forward to the game on Monday.
“It’s a really special place to play football and it’s going to be very important again for us, if we’re going to have a good season, that our home form is second-to-none.
“A big part of that is the support we receive at home. So we’re looking forward to the game.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2015.
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