Match Reaction: Crystal Palace 2-2 Arsenal

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Originally Posted by Letters

I'd be amazed if we beat (or even draw with) Liverpool.
I don't think we learned anything yesterday. We've been sloppy at the back during this run of wins, some of those wins could easily have been draws.
Overall I'm enjoying the way we're playing, I'm not expecting miracles this year.
I think our squad is good enough to challenge for the top 4, not the title. That's my benchmark this season although I wouldn't be #EmeryOut if we don't finish top 4 as he needs some time.
We seem to be heading in the right direction and that's enough, for now.

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Pretty much. A point when we were 2 - 1 up felt a bit dsappointing, but a timely reminder of where we were.

Re Liverpool - important to remember that Klopp has now had 3 years to get to where Liverpool are now. Emery has had 3 months. I would be delighted with a point.

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Originally Posted by IBK

Pretty much. A point when we were 2 - 1 up felt a bit dsappointing, but a timely reminder of where we were.

Re Liverpool - important to remember that Klopp has now had 3 years to get to where Liverpool are now. Emery has had 3 months. I would be delighted with a point.

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Yep, he has spent a lot of money too. Though to be fair money recouped from the sale of Coutinho.

Emery definitely needs a couple of seasons to shape "his" team, he is doing very well so far considering what he has to work with.

I'd be delighted with a point too for the Liverpool game.

Won't be delighted with a point at Liveprool, mostly because it will be two measly points in a row haven got used to winning for a while but of course a point against a team that good is not bad.

Mustafi is one of the few under performing players Emery hasn't dropped though and I really am waiting for him to smell the coffee on him..... absinthe, crack or whatever the hell Mustafi is smoking before games.

AMN needs to be in the squad Wednesday and phased in as a matter of urgency.

I thought in real time Zaha was actually fouled and even on the first few replays at the angle I saw from, but Xhaka needs to be way smarter than allowing an infamous diver like Zaha to mug him off like that....wherever he is playing on the field.

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Originally Posted by Master Splinter

Despite being an emergency fourth-choice left-back, Xhaka, along with Holding and Torreira, was probably our best player. Contributed to both goals and was not really troubled.

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You mean apart from giving away a penalty?

Arseblog did a pretty insightful analysis of our defensive deficiencies yesterday and apart from the obvious failings of actually giving away the pens showed where we lack in-game craft to thwart impending danger. Mustafi( again) had 2 opportunities to foul the Palace player bearing down into our box. Mustafio basically escorted him from the centrefield right into the penalty box. This is the cynical know how that all the other top 6 teams have in abundance but which we at Arsenal have lacked since 2006. No way do you win big prizes being as juvenile as we are playing the game. With us its all about technique whereas the mendacity displayed against us by every other team with rotational fouling etc is eschewed for some reason. Our midfield is still weak. Torriera needs someone else alongside him that can snuff danger out. Otherwise it will still be the nearly there story season after season

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Originally Posted by Globalgunner

Arseblog did a pretty insightful analysis of our defensive deficiencies yesterday and apart from the obvious failings of actually giving away the pens showed where we lack in-game craft to thwart impending danger. Mustafi( again) had 2 opportunities to foul the Palace player bearing down into our box. Mustafio basically escorted him from the centrefield right into the penalty box. This is the cynical know how that all the other top 6 teams have in abundance but which we at Arsenal have lacked since 2006. No way do you win big prizes being as juvenile as we are playing the game. With us its all about technique whereas the mendacity displayed against us by every other team with rotational fouling etc is eschewed for some reason. Our midfield is still weak. Torriera needs someone else alongside him that can snuff danger out. Otherwise it will still be the nearly there story season after season

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100% agree with this, especially the part I highlighted.

Our Midfield whilst better is still not right, we absolutely need another partner next to Torreira, a similar kind of player IMO.

I think Wilshere or Cazorla would have been a great fit next to Torreira. Unfortunately both of them are dead. For now, I think Torreira and Guendozi should be the first choice holding midfielders. Xhaka is a sub or still him to LB for slow immobile teams. For quick teams like Liverpool or city, I'd rather we have Monreal there.

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Originally Posted by Mac76

You mean apart from giving away a penalty?

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You mean when Zaha jumped into his leg and was given a penalty because the officiating and rules in this game are pathetic?

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Originally Posted by Master Splinter

You mean when Zaha jumped into his leg and was given a penalty because the officiating and rules in this game are pathetic?

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This. It was a clear dive.

Only crumb of comfort is that we have focused eyes on him and at some stage he will be legitimately fouled and not get a pen or be booked for diving. I'll give it to him, he sold it pretty good.

Had Xhaka just quickly jerked his leg out and straight back in almost like a bionic leg it would have showed Zaha for the diving little shit he is to everybody including the ref in real time and first time.