Arsenal came through in what was potentially a tricky fixture with a patient performance against a disciplined Crystal Palace. This was not an easy game for The Gunners, and it is one they will be extremely pleased to have overcome given the magnitude of their February fixture list.

Sticking to task against disciplined Palace.

The first half performance that Tony Pulis’s Crystal Palace side gave at the Emirates was everything that we have come to expect from the Welsh manager. Defensively well organised, firm, committed and at times cynical tackling, Arsenal were left frustrated. The Gunners however didn’t allow themselves to feel irritated and in the second half there persistence was the difference.

In the first half Wenger’s men struggled to make the most of their dominance and this was partly down to the organisation of Palace. The quality of Arsenal’s final ball let them down and Palace were making it extremely difficult whenever Arsenal worked their way into the box.

By sticking to their game plan Arsenal eventually found an opening and were able to capitalise when Palace switched off at the back. To score so soon after the break, without having a clear-cut chance in the first half surprised many and was a huge relief for Wenger and his team, as you could feel the frustration building towards the end of the first half.

Although it will be Chamberlain that will be taking the headlines, in many ways this was a resolute team performance. A defensive display to which we have become accustomed, Mertesacker was an immovable object at the back, whist Szeczesny again surpassed himself with a big save soon after the Ox had scored his first.

Oxlade-Chamberlain adds verve to Arsenal midfield

There can be no doubt though that the most pleasing performance was that of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. In his first start in the Premier League since returning from injury, he fired Arsenal back to the top of the tree. Not only will this be a massive boost to his confidence, but highlights yet another string to Arsenal’s somewhat depleted midfield bow.

As the match progressed The Ox revelled in the central role, in the second half especially as the Gunners asserted themselves further up the pitch. Offering pace and power in the middle of the park, he was a menace that transformed the midfield looking almost unrecognisable from the draw at Southampton.

Another pleasing factor was Tomas Rosicky’s cameo, involved in the play for the Ox’s second goal, a minute after coming on in the 72nd minute for Podolski who himself had a much improved second half. Cazorla, who gave the ball away easily on occasion, played an outstanding ball for Arsenal’s first and was handful for much of the game.

Arsenal fans will probably be feeling a slightly reassured by the midfield performance as we enter a challenging period of the season. After a tough first half, the Gunners played with a pace and a freedom that is essential to the way we break teams down. At our worst the handbrake is applied, Chamberlain certainly released us from that today.

Back on the winning track

For a match that could have potentially have turned out to be a banana skin for Arsenal, it is another pleasing victory against a side that are difficult to beat. It is even more important given the intensity of Arsenal’s remaining fixtures this month and lifts the doom and gloom from our midfield injury problems.

Without three of our best midfield performers this season, it certainly highlights the depth that we do obtain in that area, and for many it will have given confidence that throughout this tough period we still have the quality to compete on all levels.

For now at least we remain on top of the table and a favourable result between Man City and Chelsea at The Etihad could see us stay there. There was plenty to be positive about in this performance, and hopefully it will give a confidence throughout the squad that we will need for the big games we have this month.

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