Arsenal’s performance last Sunday against West Ham was uninspired, to say the least. A 2-0 loss is not so bad considering one, maybe two players looked like they actually wanted to be out there. That all has to change this week against Crystal Palace if they want to have some momentum to start the season with. It still is early, but starting the season by dropping points in your first two game is not the way to begin a campaign for a team that it supposed to be heavy title contenders.
Crystal Palace will certainly line up differently from the way West Ham did – the Hammers used a narrow diamond in midfield while Palace will most likely play a 4-2-3-1 with Wilfried Zaha, Yohan Cabaye, and Yannick Bolasie in attacking midfield. Arsenal’s defence will have to play much better if they want to keep those three quiet, and it all starts with Francis Coquelin in defensive midfield. The 24-year-old was about as effective as air last weekend, and Dimitri Payet proved that time and time again by breezing past him on the way to threatening Petr Cech’s goal. Another man who will have to perform better in order to get all three points is Petr Cech, who was partially at fault for both West Ham goals. Mauro Zarate had an open shot outside of the box due to lazy Arsenal defending, and he sent a relatively slow roller into the bottom left because Cech was out of position and not ready to move to make the save. He also misread the free-kick into the box by Payet, as he dove behind Cheikhou Kouyate, the goalscorer, in his attempt to knock the ball away from goal. Wenger will not likely start David Ospina in his place for the Palace game, but the Czech will have to have a more inspired performance in order to keep the #1 goalkeeper spot.
Some changes Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could make in order to get a win away to Palace are giving quick right back Hector Bellerin his place in the team back after he missed the West Ham game due to a minor muscle injury. He clearly has the pace to keep up with the tricky Palace left winger Yannick Bolasie, and the fullback also loves to get forward and play crosses into the box. Also, Wenger could replace Olivier Giroud with Theo Walcott at striker, who will provide more pace and get behind the defence, which play-maker Mesut Ozil will love to have in front of him. Finally, Aaron Ramsey should be replaced by Santi Cazorla in centre midfield, because Cazorla played that position very well at the end of last season, and it will also give Alexis Sanchez his place on the left back after he could not start last week due to his fatigue from winning the Copa America with Chile.
Offensively, the way Arsenal will be able to beat Palace by using the counter with speedy players like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, and Alexis Sanchez. Also, they could hold possession and find quick passes to split the Eagles’ defence, leading them to attempt shots on goal. Holding the ball, utilising the pace of the wings, and having play-makers like Özil and Cazorla creating in midfield and completing passes while not committing unforced turnovers will be important. Defensively, Coquelin keeping Cabaye quiet will be crucial to limiting the Crystal Palace attack, and the full-backs will have to limit the touches of Zaha and Bolasie, as both of them are potentially dangerous. Arsenal holding on to the ball in this match will be crucial, Palace can capitalise on the counter-attack, and letting in goals through unnecessary errors is not what title-winning teams do. That is exactly how Zarate scored last weekend, and no supporter would want to see that happen all over again.
Arsenal will have extra motivation coming off the West Ham disappointment, and that paired with the fact that just about the whole team is fighting for their place in the first XI, Arsenal should come out firing on all cylinders. As long as the players do not wait around for someone else to take charge and make a play, Arsenal should be set for three points. If Coquelin can not find his form from the second half of last season, the attack is quiet and passes are misplaced, and the centre backs are lazy, then it will be a long day for the Gunners at Selhurst Park.
