Crystal Palace Vs Arsenal

Updated: Aug 4, 2023

Hello everyone

Hope you are all well.

On Saturday 11th January 2020 I attended Crystal Palace vs Arsenal at Selhurst Park. Last time we played Arsenal away we drew 2-2 so we were hoping for a similar result in this game. I went with my PA Vicki and my Nan.

A few days before the match we had signed a new player Cenk Tosun from Everton who is on loan to us until the end of the season, hopefully he is able to help us get as high in the league table as possible. We were still having many problems with injuries throughout the team with key players such as Patrick Van Aanholt, Schlupp, Townsend, Ward, Benteke, Dann, Sakho and also Milovijevic being suspended. Roy Hodgson had to make adaptions in the team again.

At the start of the match Palace were 9th in the table and Arsenal were 10th. This is the first time we have been higher than Arsenal after Christmas.

The game started at 12.30pm and Palace were wearing there traditional red and blue kit. In the early stages of the game Arsenal had a lot of possession with players being happy to sit back and defend to get into the game. It was a really windy match and this had some impact on the game. It wasn't long until Arsenal got the opening goal of the game after they were able to pick our mid field apart before playing a ball into Aubaameyang who was able to slip the ball into the back of the net.

Palace had their first chance to get into their oppositions end in the 26th minute after Ayew was able to play the ball into Kouyate who was able to play it over to Zaha, who tried to cut inside but the Arsenal mid field were able to deal with it. It was after this Palace were able to gain a bit more confidence and test Arsenals team and they weren't allowing Arsenal to have much time on the ball compared to before.

Palace had their first shot of the game in the 41st minute. This time it was from Kouyate but the Arsenal keeper was able to palm it away and collect the ball. There were 2 minutes added on at the end of the first half. During this time the Arsenal forward Pepe picked up the first booking of the match.

During half term we ordered some food from the waiters that kindly come over to the disabled area (every match) asking if you would like any refreshments. I actually haven't come across this service yet at any other stadium I have been too so we always really appreciate this extra touch.

In the opening stages of the second half there wasn't much happening until the 54th minute when Ayew scored the equalising goal of the game, Selhurst park erupted!!!!!!!!The goal came from McCarthy playing a low ball into the area where Kouyate met it before laying it off to Ayew who was able to take a shot into the back of the net. It did get a deflection on the way in but even if that did happen the goal would've still gone in so it mean it was put down as an Ayew goal. This goal gave Palace a lot of confidence to try and win the game.

Arsenal had another opportunity but thankfully the ball went over the bar. In the 64th minute there was a foal given to Palace after Aubaameyang went in very late and hard on Meyer. The referee initially gave a yellow card for it but there was a VAR check to double check it which then after few minutes of waiting lead to the referee giving him a Red card. This was definitely the correct decision because it was a very dangerous tackle and looked very painful for Meyer. This lead to Meyer then having to be substituted off for Tosun who was making his debut for us. We are still unsure on Max's condition but hopefully the injury isn't too bad and he is back with us sooner rather than later.

In the 80th minute we had a very key opportunity after Zaha was able to chip the ball towards Tomkins who was able to win his header sending it goalwards passed the Arsenal keeper. But an Arsenal defender was able to go round and sweep it off the line. After this incident there was a handball shout for us but after a VAR check no penalty was given. The ball incidentally went down the other end and Arsenal had a chance for themselves to win the game. Pepe received the ball and had a shot which deflected off of the post into the arms of Guaita.

In the closing stages of the match it was very 'end to end' football with both teams giving their all to try and finish the game on a win. Both teams then picked up a yellow card for two different incidents. Before injury time Palace had another penalty shout after Zaha drove at Maitland Niles inside the box before going to ground but the referee waved it away.

There was 4 minutes added on the the end of the game. There wasn't much action at all at this time until the 95th minute when Palace had their final opportunity to steel the 3 points via a free kick. Just as the free kick was about to be taken Arsenal payer Luiz decided to march over to the ball and pick it up because he felt it was in the wrong place. This didn't end well with both teams then getting very angry but surprisingly he wasn't awarded a yellow card.

There seemed to be a bit of acting going on in the match in my opinion from the Arsenal players both giving away a lot of fouls and making a very big deal out of challenges on them.

The game ended 1-1 with both teams sharing the points. I definitely feel we deserve more from the game based on our performance in the second half.

After the match we stayed behind to see the players. We saw James McCarthy, James Mcarthur, James Daily, James Tomkins, Martin Kelly, Nya Kirby, Sam Woods and Patrick Van-Aanholt. Due to Patrick being out for injury and just being there to support the team we asked him if he knew when he would be back. He told us it would be in a few weeks time. While we were waiting for the players I met one of my blog readers. I didn't manage to catch her name but if you are reading this it was lovely to meet you and I look forward to seeing you at future games.