Monday home games in the Premier League have been kind to the Gunners in recent years, and that trend continued last night as Alexandre Lacazette drove home an equalizer late into stoppage time to give Arsenal a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
The Gunners have now stretched their string of matches without a loss to six with a +7 goal differential in those matches. After a dismal start to the season, Mikel Arteta has provided a much needed turnaround for our club, yet the points just aren’t coming fast enough to stay on pace with the league leaders. Currently. Arsenal is eight points out of first, and four points of out of the top four.
On Monday, the Gunners started the match on the front foot with an early Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goal, but then took their foot off the gas and allowing the Eagles to control most of the game. Palace took a 2-1 lead and looked to bring home three points for their manager Patrick Vieira until Lacazette scored.
Arsenal are now 12th in the league with 11 points, and a -4 goal differential. They host Aston Villa on Friday night.
The good news…
As mentioned, Arsenal started the match in a very strong position. Passes were crisp, the high press was working, and scoring opportunities presented themselves in the final third.
Hail to both Gabriel Martinelli and Lacazette, who came on late in the second half to help our club regain some creativity and energy, and to get the draw.
The bad…
Arsenal had trouble maintaining control of the game, especially after giving up the first goal. From that point on, it felt like the Gunners were chasing the game, not demanding control of the game. Bottom line, we are too inconsistent.
Palace’s James McCartthy’s fierce kick on Bukayo Saka’s right left in the first half was absolutely horrid, however, referee Mike Dean failed to reach for the red card, allowing McCarthy to escape with only a yellow. Saka would set out the second half, and is also doubtful for Friday.
The defense let us down on Monday too. Again, we were out of position too often allowing for wide open shots.
Martin Odegaard had a miserable game, plus Pepe and Lokonga have played better too. Not many kudos to hand out after that performance.
Okay, with that said, the troops will regroup and prepare for Friday against Aston Villa, who trail the Gunners by only one point in the Premier League table.
Let’s hope for a lot more home field magic on Friday, but a better end result and three points!
Cheers!
Gunner1953
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Mikel Arteta on signing a new contract, “We are all very much aligned. Whenever the time is right, we will get that done. There is nothing to be concerned about. We have the same ambition and the same will. Whenever we have the time, we will get that sorted.”
We need two strikers. On BBC they always say Auba is isolated. Arsenal Player say the same. They were talking about putting Auba on the left and laca as striker. Laca is a pure striker, he gets into position, has great anticipation and never gives up.
We have to score goals to win matches, we cannot hope to ever hold onto a 1-0 lead.
I say once again 2 strikers.
Either 4 4 2. Or 4 1 3 2.
Arteta needs to get his act together, Arsenal are an Attacking team. He need to set the formation and players to achieve that.