Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal recovered from their opening-day defeat by West Ham to record a hard-fought victory at Crystal Palace. 

Alexis Sanchez had three shots blocked as Arsenal began aggressively but it was Olivier Giroud who got the opener.

The Frenchman's scissor kick in the 16th minute  put away a Mesut Ozil cross but the lead lasted 12 minutes before Joel Ward's driven shot from outside the box drew Palace level.

 Giroud acrobatically volleys Arsenal in front

Joel Ward equalises for Crystal Palace.

Connor Wickham hit the post on his home debut before Damian Delaney sliced a Sanchez header into his own net in the 54th minute.

                                           Delaney scores an own goal to hand Arsenal the lead

Jordon Mutch almost inadvertently grabbed a late equaliser when the ball struck his head and went over from a corner while Petr Cech held a Ward header in a frantic finish.

But despite Palace's combative display, Arsene Wenger's side ultimately deserved the three points for the quality of their movement and resilience in defence.

Are Arsenal back on track?

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said the way in which his side responded to the 2-0 home defeat by West Ham last Sunday would define their season.

Sanchez returned for a first start since his extended break following the Copa America and injected the Gunners with an immediate dose of urgency in attack.

The Chile international was a constant menace in the opening stages and his hard running set the tone, but Wenger will be more pleased by the way in which the Gunners reasserted their dominance after being pegged back.

Ozil, Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey continued to pester Palace with their crisp passing and aggressive movement and Sanchez's determination was the key factor in re-taking the lead. He leaped over right-back Ward at the back post to force Delaney into the own goal.

Did Palace deserve more?

Arsenal definitely rode their luck at times. Wickham was close to putting Palace ahead after the break and Jason Puncheon finished tamely when presented with a brilliant chance.

Francis Coquelin was perhaps fortunate to have picked up just the one yellow card before being replaced, with referee Lee Mason taking a lenient view of the Frenchman's persistent fouling.

Cech was at fault for both of West Ham's goals last Saturday but there was little he could  do about Palace's equaliser as Ward's driven strike was clipping the inside of post by the time he had reached the full length of this dive.

There were still a few nervy moments for the goalkeeper - most notably when clearing high balls as Palace looked to make the most of set pieces - but overall Arsenal looked more likely to score a third than Palace equalising for a second time.



Player Reaction 

Olivier Giroud told Sky Sports:  "I said before the game we really needed these three points to bounce back after the performance at home when we lost against West Ham.

"We could have scored more goals in doing a better choice with the last pass but we are really happy to get the three points.

"You always get criticised when you lose, especially at home. We said at the beginning of the championship that we want to win the league so we will join the title race.

"When you say that you have to face expectations. It was a bad performance (last week) but even though we lost last week the most important in football is to bounce back the week after and keep your faith in your game, which is what we tried to do and succeeded to do today."

Manager Reactions : 

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew on BBC Sport: " The game changed on two incidents. We hit the post at 1-1 and you have to argue they are lucky to have 11 players. Everyone knew in the stadium he should have gone.

"The game was very even, they play a different style. They were good, much better than against West Ham. Sharper in the mind and we stlll feel aggrieved we haven't come out with anything.

"I thought the three new boys were our best players and we know the others are great. That is a good sign. Arsenal were a hurt animal but the early period was bad for us, we made a lot of mistakes."

Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger on Sky Sports: "I'm very pleased with the three points. If we had gone two games and zero points it would be absolutely difficult and we knew this would be a tricky one.

"Last week we had a bit of a stroll and thought we would win the game. Today we played real Premier League football from the first minute to the last.

"With the ambitions we have made you have to have full commitment and we had that today."

Arsene Wenger on his decision to replace Francis Coquelin after he avoided a second yellow card .
He told Sky Sports: "I felt it wasn't fortunate. I would like to see that again but in the end the pressure created by the crowd meant I took him off. When you are 2-1 up and he is playing quite well that's difficult. It's a sensitive decision."

Shaw Post believes that Arsenal will be very happy with their victory in what was very tough fixture against an inform Palace side who had made some very astute signings.

Arsene Wenger will be very happy with his team performance as they showed much more hunger, determination and will power to help them come back in front after Joel Ward's equaliser and then hold on. He would also have been very happy to see his fellow countrymen Olivier Giroud answer his critics in style with a fabulous acrobatic volley.

They were maybe very lucky to still have Francis Coquelin on the pitch as he could have been sent off in the first half. But a win is a win and Arsenal will be looking forward to their game against Liverpool next Monday Night.

As for Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace they will be feeling aggrieved that they couldn't get at least a point for their battling performance but unfortunately it wasn't to be.  I'm very impressed with spirit of the Eagles as they seem to fear no one this season. This should see them in good stead this season perhaps this could be the year that they finish 9th and go on a long cup run. Only time will tell but they seem to be much more rejuvenated side and Pardew should take a lot of praise for making Palace feared again.