There are no easy matches in the Premier League anymore. This point is continually driven home these days by matches like the one on Thursday night between Arsenal and Crystal Palace. A quick glance at the table would suggest a lopsided match between one of the league’s best clubs and a smaller club struggling for results, but what resulted was a thrilling, back and forth type match with both teams eyeing a positive result. Fans at Selhurst Park had little trouble shaking off the post-holiday drowsiness, inviting the Gunners into the sort of deafening fortress that the Arsenal players could only dream about at their own stadium. The Crystal Palace players also took the fight to the visiting Gunners on the pitch, giving them all they could handle, especially in a second half so full of momentum shifts. Ultimately, the Gunners’ attacking class was too much for Palace to handle, and Wenger lead his team off the pitch as 3-2 victors.

Formation Fake Out

If Arsene Wenger left members of the media with the impression this week that the Gunners would revert to a back 4 for the foreseeable future, Thursday was quick to dispel that notion. Wenger unveiled a starting XI an hour before the match with a back 3 including Calum Chambers, who started the match in place of the injured Nacho Monreal. Wenger’s comments this week casting doubt on the starting place of Sead Kolasinac also proved irrelevant as his name was there in the team sheet once again after he seemed to lose his place recently to Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Concerns that Aaron Ramsey’s continued absence might hamper the Gunners in their 3-4-2-1 were assuaged by Jack Wilshere’s industrious performance in the central midfield pairing with Granit Xhaka.

Given Crystal Palace’s strength and size throughout the team and their penchant for creating goals from set pieces, Wenger obviously felt that having 3 centre backs would help nullify the threat. He was proved half right, as the Gunners were able to sweep away most chances from free kicks and corners, but seemed to leave gaps in open play. It was a gamble that paid off for Wenger, and despite allowing two painful goals on passes cut back through the penalty area right under the noses of his defence, the Gunners got enough from the attack to prevail. It is likely that the boss will continue to alternate between the two formations as he sees fit, while he and Steve Bould search for the best balance between attacking threat and defensive stability.

A Wasted Half

If Arsenal had left Selhurst Park yesterday having failed to take 3 points, fans and pundits would point to the first half and its litany of missed chances as the reason why. The Gunners went in to the half up by 1, but it could have been more, with Mesut Ozil in particular finding himself in brilliant scoring positions only to miss the target. The slick possession game may not have been working with the same fluidity as in the last couple matches, but the final passes were much better. There were several examples of the sort of incisive, defence-splitting balls that have been lacking against teams that play a low, tight block in defence, and had the attackers been a bit more clinical, it would have been a very healthy lead at the half.

Flipping the Script

As is often the case with Arsenal, their inability to put the score out of reach early lead to their opponent finding their footing in the match, as Palace wasted little time in doing once the second half started. Buoyed by their ever-raucous crowd, the hosts showed more initiative in attack, and gave the Gunners fits whenever Wilfried Zaha ran at the defence. Palace had much more energy after the break, and when Andros Townsend fired home the equalizer, many fans felt they had read this script before. Arsenal has a bad habit of giving away points to inferior teams, especially if those teams bring a physical brand of play into the match.

However, Townsend’s goal kicked the Gunners back into action and gave Alexis Sanchez his opportunity to shine, quickly netting a brace and restoring his team’s lead. Not even a late Palace surge and defensive lapse, which halved the lead, could spoil the Chilean’s good work. His goals would prove to be the difference in the match, and the Gunners escaped with 3 points.

Form Of Convenience

With just days separating us from the January Transfer window, it should come as no surprise to fans that Alexis Sanchez put in a good performance. The Chilean has long been rumoured to be anxious for an exit, but his recent performances have not exactly inspired desperate attempts to claim him for a fee just months before he would be available for free. While it could be argued that his effort, at least to the casual observer, has not dropped during his recent barren spell in front of goal, his team play has left a lot to be desired. When Arsenal are falling out of rhythm in the attacking third, it is generally a safe bet that he has had a hand in the struggles.

Right on cue, Alexis appeared rejuvenated on Thursday, even working within the team effectively in the final third. His second goal was an absolute beauty, with Sanchez’ brilliant angled run in behind being met by an inch perfect pass from a Jack Wilshere. The game will only infuriate supporters more, as when he is in the mood, his game positively bursts with an effervescence that few players in the team can match. How the second half of his Arsenal season goes will depend massively on what happens in January, not least of all because he could easily depart in the next 30 days. However, if he does stick around, it must be his own decision, because if he has proved anything this season, it is that he can bring the team down as much with poor play as he can elevate them with his good form. An Alexis with one foot out the door is no asset to the club, so fans should hope that there are frank, honest conversations being held behind closed doors within the club.

January Dreams

While some fans have already written off the excitement around the January transfer window as a waste of time, considering Arsene Wenger’s preference to stand pat during the mid-season window, some are quietly optimistic that big moves are on the way when the window opens. As has been well documented, there is a host of new talent in the back room staff, and one assumes must be itching to add players of their own choosing to this team. With Liverpool already adding a top quality defender, Virgil Van Dijk, for £75 million, fans are getting anxious that another indecisive January could push the Gunners out of the battle for a top 4 place. Should Alexis finally get his long-coveted move, such a significant outlay from their rival could give them a leg up In their pursuit of a replacement, namely Thomas Lemar, who has been linked to both clubs. For what it’s worth, the fans have made their position clear; they want signings. Multiple, quality signings. Soon we shall find out whether or not Arsene Wenger agrees with that assessment.