There we
were thinking this was an all-new Arsenal. Here was a match which, for
much of it, appeared to build on that 2-0 away win at Manchester City in
January. The renaissance Arsenal team seems solid, workmanlike and
ready to hit teams on the counter.
With
Mesut Ozil orchestrating, Olivier Giroud turning into a warrior-like
centre forward who can hold the ball up superbly, and the speed and
skill of Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck wide, they are perfectly
equipped to play this type of game. And with Francis Coquelin’s
importance growing with every game, there seemed to be a solidity about
Arsenal which has rarely been evident in the past.
It
is, however, something of a mirage, an illusion. They might appear more
robust but their fragility seems to haunt them, hanging around like an
un-exorcised spirit
Santi Cazorla puts Arsenal into the lead from the penalty spot to score his seventh Premier League goal of the season
The Spanish midfielder celebrates after sending Julian Speroni the wrong way to put the Gunners a goal up at Selhurst Park
Danny Welbeck is brought down by Papa Souare for the penalty but his challenge appeared to be just outside the box
Olivier Giroud pokes home from close range to make it 2-0 in first half stoppage time, somewhat against the run of play
Welbeck looked to be just offside during the build-up to Giroud's strike at Selhurst Park
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