Positive #2: “Old” Arsenal on show
Having looked like a very depleted side at times this season, “Dark Arts FC” was nowhere to be seen against Crystal Palace. Arsenal had a real sense of urgency about them, especially in their buildup play following the break.
The Gunners played quick one-touch football throughout much of the second half and integrated that into the play in the final third. Arsenal has been really missing that this season despite having played such brilliant football under Mikel Arteta over the past few campaigns.
It was certainly the “old” Arsenal on show against Palace. There was no reliance on set pieces, and it was dreadfully boring playing it around at the back. The Gunners were quick in their passing and build-up play and they no doubt profited from it.
Negative #2: Poor attacking at times
Despite their vast improvement in their all-around play and build-up in attack, Arsenal was not always convincing when on the front foot against Palace.
The Gunners missed three big chances throughout the tie, with Raheem Sterling being the main culprit on the right wing. The winger, who has struggled for game time during his Arsenal loan, did not look particularly convincing. He missed two excellent opportunities to equalise early in the second half when he was thwarted by Dean Henderson before striking the crossbar from a few yards out.
Arsenal was poor not just in front of goal but also in their general attacking play. The Palace players isolated Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri too easily, limiting the Gunners’ options. While they certainly improved in the second half, and it did not cost them, Arsenal’s occasionally poor attacking was a cause for concern against Palace.
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Senegal
