Arsenal’s defeat in the English Premier League

Crystal Palace are in high form when unbeaten in the last six matches in all competitions. Last round, Patrick Vieira’s army keep defending champion Man City 0-0 at Selhurst Park, and the last time they failed was when they lost 0-1 to Chelsea in February.

The host maintained that sublimation when pushing the squad high and creating waves towards the Arsenal goal right from the opening. The first ten minutes, in turn, Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew stirred up the wings, making Arsenal struggle to defend. By the 16th minute, they were ahead. Conor Gallagher’s free kick went to Joachim Andersen’s position before Jean-Philippe Mateta headed home.

Eight minutes later, all 11 players Arsenal at home, but still let Crystal Palace score for the second time. Midfielder Andersen crossed the line to Jordan Ayew’s position. Gabriel crossed out to block and missed, creating conditions for Ayew to comfortably receive the ball and then put his heart right next to the penalty area to the far corner of Aaron Ramsdale’s goal.

This is the third time in the last five matches that Crystal Palace have scored twice in the first half in the Premier League. This game, they can do even better than that. At the end of the first half, Zaha quickly knocked out both Cedric Soares and Ben White before releasing back to let Mateta finish with his left foot, one touch close to the box, but the ball went right into Ramsdale’s position.

In contrast, Arsenal’s positions were completely out of tune in the first half. Their positions seem to be exhausted after the recent national team gathering. The best chance the visitors created was Alexandre Lacazette’s header from close into the bar after Bukayo Saka’s cross after 28 minutes. Early in the second half, Arteta brought in striker Gabriel Martinelli for Tavares, and let Granit Xhaka fall back. down the left-back. After that, he continued to bring in Edward Nketiah to replace right-back Cedric Soares to strengthen the attack.

These changes help “Gunners” prosper. The visitors created tenth chances in the 63rd and 67th minutes from few touches, but Smith-Rowe could not beat goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, and Martin Oedegaard missed the post from close range.

Wasting the opportunity, Arsenal immediately paid the price. Referee Paul Tierney, after a few seconds of hesitation, awarded Crystal a penalty when Zaha was swept by Odergaard. The 18th time Zaha brought the penalty, the achievement is only behind Raheem Sterling (23 years old) and Jamie Vardy (21 years old) in Premier League history. It was Zaha who took the 11m kick, with a stretch shot to the right corner, against the direction of Ramsdale’s judgment, making the score 3-0.

This is the fifth time Arsenal have lost the London derby in the Premier League by at least three goals. The last time also came at the hands of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in April 2017, with the score 0-3. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace won their first home match in the English Premier League in 2022, with the most recent victory being when they overcame Norwich late last year, also with a score of 3-0. Alternating that, Crystal Paalce drew two and lost three.

The loss at the hands of the old Patrick Vieira hit Arsenal’s ambitions in the top 4 race. The “Gunners” are in fifth place with 54 points from 29 matches, equal to Tottenham but still have one round left to play. Arteta’s army faces a difficult schedule for the rest of the period, when they still have to meet Chelsea, Man Utd, West Ham, Tottenham and Everton.

Squad

Crystal Palace: Guaita – Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell – Gallagher, Kouyate (Milivojevic 80), Schlupp – Ayew (Edouard 76), Mateta (McArthur 69), Zaha.

Arsenal: Ramsdale – Cedric (Nketiah 66), White, Gabriel, Tavares (Martinelli 75) – Partey (Lokonga 75), Xhaka – Saka, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe – Lacazette.

Hong Duy