You can kiss my Arsenal haters, we won Crystal Palace

image.png

Despite our upgrades in the recent transfer window, nobody really tipped us to get three points today. Honestly, even a lot of Arsenal supporters didn't really see us grabbing three points away at Selhurst Park today but we did and it felt good.

We went to one of the teams that dented our charge for the final Champions League spot, at a ground where we lost 3-0 and put in an impressive performance that ended with a clean sheet.

Grabbing these three points in the fashion we did was very special because it highlights how much we have grown as a team. The victory was more about pure grit and desire than our actual football ability.

For what it's worth, we were the better side overall and while we showed that in the early stages, we didn't take our chances. In the 4th minute, Martinelli had the opportunity to get us ahead but scuffed his shot wide.

Subsequently, Martinelli got the opportunity to redeem himself with a header that came from an excellent setpiece routine. After the goal, it was easy street but in the Premier League, that street is always very short.

Palace came to life in the later stages of the first half and looked threatening on occasions. Ramsdale that was largely a spectator for most of the match was called into action and had to make some impressive saves to keep us in the game.

In the second half, we were once again put under more pressure, especially as Palace began to press higher up the pitch. Our passes weren't connecting as the boys were under more pressure but once again, Ramsdale saved our blushes with a magnificent save.

Besides Ramsdale, Saliba looked impressive in his debut and worked well with Gabriel at the back. Ben White was at right back and he had to deal with the constant threat of Zaha, which he handled well.

We got our second goal through a deflected cross that ended up in the net off Guehi's head. He was concerned about Nketiah's presence, who came on in place of Gabriel Jesus.

Speaking of Jesus, he looked good in the match and was just unfortunate to not get a goal. Sometimes, I think he held on to the ball too long but that seems to be a part of his game.

ZInchenko was also in the lineup and the Ukrainian did well at left back. As the match went on, he couldn't deal with the constant pressure from Ayew and had to be replaced by Tierney who also did pretty well.

It's difficult to actually pick out individuals in what was an excellent team performance all round. I think we could have done better in managing the game, and should have killed off the match in the first 30 minutes.

On the flip side, it was also nice to be able to call upon players like Tierney and Nketiah that can make a difference in the match when brought on. We're still a work in progress and all we have to do is take it one day at a time. Until we meet again, up the Arsenal.



0
0
0.000
25 comments
avatar

Did you back your team my staking on them or you are just an audio supporter

0
0
0.000
avatar

Not a gambler, so audio

0
0
0.000
avatar

Try too support your team by betting them that way when ever Dey win you smile with them

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thanks but I prefer not to gamble, so I'll stick with being an "audio supporter"

0
0
0.000
avatar




This post has been added to the Rabona Curation Program!

We are curating Rabona-related content, as well as good quality football-related posts on Hive.

Learn more about the Rabona Curation Program


* * *


Manage your soccer club
Scout, train, and trade players
Build and expand your stadium
Become the champion

Rabona.io

0
0
0.000
avatar

Your two new signed player did well
Where has saliba been all these while??
Man did well last night.did not give zaha any breathing space.
I enjoyed the game and happy for the win
I just hope it continues like this.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Him and Ben White got the job done

0
0
0.000
avatar

Good question, where was he?
You remind me of the fresh post on Saliba here titled, SALIBA,SALIBA,SAAAALLLIBA. A post that queries Saliba's absence before now.
I think Arteta is learning from his(Arteta's) mistakes though.

0
0
0.000
avatar
(Edited)

Yeah!!!!
But I give it to him dude made a difference

0
0
0.000
avatar

Hi bro,
You saw the Saliba narrative of that post I cited above right?
That's it

0
0
0.000
avatar

You’ve gotta think that if Saliba was there last season, you’d get top 4.

Zinchenko looks a liability at left-back. In the 2nd half when you dropped deeper his positional play was poor. I thought Palace could have switched Zaha to the other flank to really attack him.

0
0
0.000
avatar
(Edited)

Saliba was so solid. Got the man of the match and well deserved. The back line did well, all things considered.

Zinny was a bit further forward because Ben White couldn't leave the halfway line because of the constant threat of Zaha. Even as a hater, you have to admit Ben White managed the Zaha situation quite well.

Zinny can't defend for shit but he has to drift central because that's what Arteta wants. When Tierney came on, we had better control of the Ayew situation. We're going to need both defenders, depending on the game. So sweet to have both.

0
0
0.000
avatar

White was fine. Don’t think it’s really his position but he faced up to Zaha

0
0
0.000
avatar
(Edited)

Yeah my kind of thinking on Saliba. Anyone can refer to my post where I did some chiding of Arteta.

He seemed obsessed with sending almost every player he inherited away. Even that Mavropanos, he is a very solid defender. Last season he was number 1 in Germany in successful tackles,blocked shots and all blocks. Towards the end of last season he had 2,372 individual ball possessions,making the 24-year-old sixth in the entire Bundesliga for this category. Amazing and it's not just last season.

I feel for Ben White,as he now becomes the scape goat for the indiscretion of the coach.

I must appreciate your support each and every time I roll out a blog post. I don't take it for granted. Thanks again.

Best regards sir

0
0
0.000
avatar

It was indeed a great game and I wasn't expecting anything less from Arsenal, my prediction was actually 3-1and I placed a bet for them to win and both teams to score more than two goals but it was the other way around.

Arsenal won with two goals, great start for them and I hope they can keep up with the performance

0
0
0.000
avatar

Clean sheet too. Very sweet

0
0
0.000
avatar

I left Zinchenko out of my squad because I wasn't sure about his start but yesterday performance will definitely make Arteta use him as long as he is fit.

Saliba is a blessing to Arsenal defense, it is going to be a season with lots of expectations.

0
0
0.000
avatar

It depends on the fixture tbh. I don't think Zinny will be the undisputed starter because overall, Tierney is still the superior Left back.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Enjoy the table while it lasts

0
0
0.000
avatar

Haha. The table doesn't matter right now. ALl that matters is grinding out results

0
0
0.000
avatar

Arteta wants to compete for the title .. in the new form he is working on now... Gabriel Jesus had higher expectations yesterday with the big friendlies, but he appeared a little nervous.....
With time, Arsenal will develop more

0
0
0.000
avatar

Title charge is a bit too early to cal but we definitely want to compete

0
0
0.000