Having played one game less, Manchester City are now 8 points behind the Premier League leaders; Arsenal win 4-1 against Crystal Palace
Each time the Gunners win at the Emirates, the belief that Arsenal could clinch the Premier League title continues to grow. Their latest win, a comfortable 4-1 home win against Crystal Palace, after a painful penalty shootout exit midweek in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 fixture against Sporting. The Gunners have their eyes fixed on the target; the Premier League!
22 – Arsenal have earned their 22nd Premier League win of the season, as many as they managed in the whole of last term, and the Gunners’ most ever wins in their first 28 matches of a league campaign. Pursuit. pic.twitter.com/dL4Hssqtw0
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 19, 2023
Crystal Palace sacked Patrick Vieira as Manager on Sunday and the team, as expected, was eager to impress caretaker manager Paddy McCarthy, whose first game in charge ended in a loss. To be fair, Palace showed more attacking threat and resilience, despite the scoreline, than in previous games.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have to set their sights fixed on the Premier League title, especially after being eliminated from the Europa League in the Round of 16. Against an unpredictable side, the Gunners were decisive when they were in possession, making most of their chances count.
Only five players have 10+ goals and 10+ assists in Europe's top five leagues this season:
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 19, 2023
Lionel Messi13G
13A
Neymar13G
11A
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia12G
10A
Bukayo Saka12G
10A
Randal Kolo Muani11G
10A pic.twitter.com/vXOp9lZhez
Bukayo Saka gave a fantastic performance that makes him appear more of a veteran in the team than a 21-year-old. As reported by EuroSport, Saka is now the only player in the Premier League this season to have both 10+ goals and 10+ assists. He is also the first Arsenal player since Alexis Sanchez in 2016–17 to score double figures for both in a Premier League season. Moreover, it was his 25th total Premier League assist. Throughout the competition, only Trent Alexander-Arnold, Wayne Rooney, and Cesc Fabregas have 25 assists at a younger age.
The Gunners took the lead against Crystal Palace in the 28th minute as Gabriel Martinelli took down Saka’s cross to score with his left foot past J. C. Whitworth in the Palace goal. Saka scores the second goal right before half-time, after a good one-two with Ben White before curling the ball into the net.
Ten minutes after halftime, Arsenal’s lead was extended by Granit Xhaka, after some good work to play him through by Leandro Trossard. Palace scored a goal in the 63rd minute through Jeffrey Schlupp who scored after chesting the ball and lashing it into the net from 6 yards out to give hope of a possible comeback.
Saka dashed Crystal Palace’s hopes and scored the Gunners’ fourth and his second goal as Arsenal win to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points ahead of Manchester City in second.
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In other Premier League Fixtures This Weekend;
Chelsea (2)-(2) Everton
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 19, 2023
vs. Leeds
vs. Liverpool
vs. West Ham
vs. Southampton
vs. Man City
vs. Chelsea
vs. Newcastle
vs. Brighton
vs. Nottingham Forest
vs. Wolves
Can Arsenal get over the line with this schedule?pic.twitter.com/efkIvUctUr
Aston Villa (3)-(0) AFC Bournemouth
Brentford (1)-(1) Leicester City
Southampton (3)-(3) Tottenham Hotspurs
Conte: "We are professional. Tottenham pay us lot of money, me and the players. We don't receive money to find excuses, don't have the spirit or not showing sense of responsibility"
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 19, 2023#THFC
"This is unacceptable. It's the first time in my career to see players like this". pic.twitter.com/fk4sopLg20
Wolves (2)-(4) Leeds United
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