---
title: "The Ball Boy Blog – Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2014/02/02/the-ball-boy-blog-arsenal-vs-crystal-palace/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jack Dillon Carter"
section: "Articles"
published: "2014-02-02T22:22:46Z"
modified: "2014-02-02T22:55:24Z"
---

# The Ball Boy Blog – Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace

Arsenal looked to bounce back from their title challenge setback against Southampton as they hosted an in form Crystal Palace side, buoyed by recent results and fresh additions. With injury and suspension problems arising yet again for Arsene Wenger, he was left to go with a line-up of Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Chamberlain, Podolski, Özil, Cazorla and Giroud – two changes from the side that drew 2-2 at St Mary’s in the week. Palace, on the other hand, featured previous Gunner, Maroune Chamakh and the flair filled Yanick Bolasie in their starting line-up, as Tony Pulis looked to get under the skin of the Arsenal fans yet again. It was clear enough that a win was the least that Arsenal could take from this game if they were to continue their title challenge, with the likes of Bayern, Manchester United and Liverpool all to face for Arsenal in their next 5 games.

Arsenal started the opening stages of the encounter in a similar fashion to that of the rest of home games in January – dictating the play and run of the ball, but lacking tempo and penetration to break the deadlock.  Özil and Cazorla were yet again at the heart of Arsenal’s attacks but as both created chances, their colleagues failed to do the easy bit and put the ball in the net as Podolski, Monreal and Giroud all scuffed chances to put the Gunners ahead at half time, which has been something of a rarity in recent weeks for the Gunners, as sloppy and slow starts have made it even harder for themselves to take home 3 points.

I don’t believe I have mentioned this before, but for me I really underestimated how much time and space professional players actually have on the pitch, until you’re up close and yards away from some of the world’s finest footballers, you truly forget how pivotal and how much of a necessity a good first touch is in the elite game. It was only up until today that I realised how well these guys get the ball under their feet so quickly. Witnessing touches like [these](https://i.minus.com/iqa6bwjnjifg1.gif)leads you to believe whether they do anything else other than football and highlights how easy some of those poor touches that we all do at Powerleague are for Özil and Cazorla. Yet again, Arsenal headed into half time 0-0 after dominating the majority of the ball, leaving the fans in hope for a second half performance full of desire and free and flowing fast football.

And with that request from the fans, it happened, only 2 minutes into the second half as Oxlade-Chamberlain put Arsenal ahead as many fans were still queuing for Hot Dogs and overpriced cups of Pepsi. The move came through the delight that is Santi Cazorla, it started on the right hand side with Sagna running with the ball laying it inside to Cazorla (or should I say Cathorla). He threw in a few dazzling stepovers, left right left right, before clipping in an inch perfect left footed ball to Chamberlain, who managed to get behind a slightly tunnel visioned Eagles defence. The 20 year old England international brought the ball down with the outside of his right foot and then slotted it over Speroni with his left foot to score his first goal for the club since returning from his frustrating and lengthy injury lay off, celebrating in relief looking up to his family members in a box. With the goal finally arriving, The Emirates kicked into a bit of life and the chants only just started to ring around and create an atmosphere, which was fair to say that it was heavily dominated by the brilliant Palace fans from 1st to 90th minute. By the far the best we’ve hosted in the league. Yet again the tempo from Arsenal died down a little when it really should’ve meant they kicked into the next gear, meaning that Szczesny was called into action to pull off a great save to keep the Gunners lead – a man who really has been answering his critics this season and proving himself to be one of the best keepers in Europe.

The game was secured and sealed with 18 minutes to go after 23 year old, I mean 33 year old, Tomas Rosicky came on to raise Wenger’s side’s game and collect all 3 points through another Chamberlain goal. Rosicky played it into Chamberlain, he flicked the ball around and played a nice one two with Giroud before being unleashed through on goal. The young English starlet made no mistake and ran at the Eagles defence, back tracking so far that they were nearly off the pitch and into the North Bank. He struck low and hard, making it nearly impossible for Speroni, who got a hand to it, to keep the powerful shot out. A brace for the Ox, making the game sealed, signed and delivered. This performance from Chamberlain today really made a prominent point that he is to be a key figure for the Wenger in the coming months. With Walcott and Ramsey all out for long periods, as well as Jack Wilshere struggling, the Frenchman needs a man who’s not afraid to be direct and get forward quickly. Chamberlain being deployed more centrally rather than out wide is an obvious sign that he is to be a spearhead in Arsenal’s title challenge.

Thanks all once again. Manchester United and that Dutchman awaits next at The Emirates and we face Liverpool in a crucial game on Saturday. Let’s hope for a minimum of 4 points.