Hmm I guess this shows that we all analyse the game verydifferently. Personally, I'd like to see more of the Xhaka and Elneny combination. I understand playing Coquelin against the bigger teams to provide protection for the back four and win the ball back in tight spaces, but against teams like Palace, we don't need him because as good as he is at making tackles & interceptions, his passing is very below par which means we waste opportunities to counter-quickly, he doesn't have a great range of passing and he is cumbersome with the ball at his feet. We don't need to be so conservative in possession against a team like Palace. Both Elneny and Xhaka's passing supersedes Coquelin's, which is what we'll need to do to break them down, as we need players to spread the play and open up more spaces.
Really amazing goal. And Giroud sets it off with the back heel as well... He's playing so well at the moment
The wingers for Palace are working so hard tracking back they are having little or no effect in an attacking sense.Should be some very tired legs in the second half.
Can't believe we aren't more than one up! We've been completely dominant but palace have run there socks off. Should get plenty more chances as this game goes on. Looking forward to seeing the goal again! Bellerin and Perez have been really good.
Good 1st half. Only slight disappointment is that we're only 1-0 up. More of the same in the 2nd half please and if we keep up this pace and precision passing, then Palace should tire and we should get more space.
The look of joy on girouds face after he scored that goal was like a kid opening his presents on Christmas
