{"id":3446,"date":"2021-05-19T22:10:42","date_gmt":"2021-05-19T21:10:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3446"},"modified":"2021-05-22T17:22:43","modified_gmt":"2021-05-22T16:22:43","slug":"late-flurry-gives-arsenal-a-tantalising-glimpse-of-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3446","title":{"rendered":"Late flurry gives Arsenal a tantalising glimpse of Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color:#fff;display:inline-block;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif;color:#a7a7a7;font-size:11px;width:100%;max-width:594px;\"><div style=\"padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1232988306\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div><div style=\"overflow:hidden;position:relative;height:0;padding:62.28956% 0 0 0;width:100%;\"><iframe src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1232988306?et=d1v6pPUnQfNfqLlsRizT9A&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=XtbvQmwL_FJ7yYNycnlOvOh5J6lqfDTwAINPY_iNIyw=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"display:inline-block;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;\" width=\"594\" height=\"370\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Two injury time goals of quality and invention by Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas P\u00e9p\u00e9 clinched a very important 3-1 victory for the Gunners, after Christian Benteke had again frustrated his favourite opponents with a goal to equalise a well-taken strike by P\u00e9p\u00e9 on the half-hour. Results must go their way on Sunday but whisper it quietly we could see St. Totteringham\u2019s Day coincide with Arsenal achieving a twenty sixth successive season in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arsenal paraded their new yellow&nbsp;away kit on a showery evening at Selhurst Park. Their team was fairly predictable although Gabriel partnered Holding in the centre of&nbsp;a four with Saka wide left and P\u00e9p\u00e9 on the right with Aubameyang upfront centrally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Early exchanges saw Arsenal on the front foot and Anthony Taylor looked in a benign mood giving Schlupp only a yellow for a heavy and late challenge on Chambers, and Ward for possibly an accidental kick out at Tierney. I was here last year when Aubameyang was sent off and Schlupp\u2019s challenge was of similar ferocity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arsenal\u2019s early play was mainly focused on the right wing with ESR working cleverly with P\u00e9p\u00e9 but the first goal threat was from Cahill for Palace who was narrowly wide with a header. Despite a bright opening in terms of ball movement Arsenal failed to create much and on 22 minutes Tomkins tested Leno with a header that he grabbed by his left hand&nbsp;post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>P\u00e9p\u00e9 so far was in one of his frustrating moods and Palace were bringing Townsend and Zaha back to block off space on the right side. Palace, who have been awful at home this season, seemed notably lifted by a home contingent of 6,500 and the&nbsp;game was lively if tight. Arsenal forced a series of corners without really threatening and on 27 minutes a fine piece of covering by Ward saw him block Auba from converting an ESR cross at the near post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Benteke was looking threatening and had a free header over on the half hour. We then saw Saka brought down by Guaita but he was ruled just offside, Schlupp then tested Leno with a fierce shot as it became increasingly clear that Palace were up for this in Roy Hodgson\u2019s last home game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not for the first time I was impressed with young Mitchell, the Palace left-back,&nbsp;who allowed P\u00e9p\u00e9 little rope until, on 35 minutes, Tierney got in on the left after combining delightfully with Saka and crossed it to P\u00e9p\u00e9 who scored with a cushioned finish off his right foot. A well-worked goal and evidence of P\u00e9p\u00e9\u2019s value to the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Palace 0 Arsenal 1 (Pepe 35)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Immediately afterwards Benteke fouled Saka and then appeared to strike Elneny on the chin. Both players were yellow-carded when Benteke definitely might have seen red. Tierney was being booed by the Palace fans, presumably because he was playing so well. They\u2019ve never been the most knowledgeable crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Elneny was working extremely hard and popping the ball off nicely. He ended the half seemingly building bridges with the lucky Benteke as they walked off with Arsenal ahead at the break. We were told unhelpfully that Benteke was spared a red because he connected with \u2018negligible force\u2018. No, I wasn\u2019t impressed either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Half-time: Palace 0 Arsenal 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Palace were attacking the Holmesdale End in the second half&nbsp;and began enterprisingly with Benteke immediately heading a Townsend cross over. Aubameyang was still looking out of sorts and fails to give the team much in the way of hold-up play. He was beaten to a Chambers cross at the far post by Ward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arsenal were pressing without looking able to create a clear chance. It was a very strongly-contested game and Palace are a strong, physical side. News of the Marshdwellers defeat gave Arsenal a chink of light in their European quest, wherever that may lead them,&nbsp;but there was much work to do without clear midfield control. To experienced Arsenal watchers this was increasingly disquieting. A left-sided free kick found Benteke and he continued to be our&nbsp;Nemesis as he dived to head past Leno. An interminable VAR delay ensued and we know how that ends. There were decent claims for offside and a push on Elneny but the goal was given.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Palace 1 (Benteke 62) Arsenal 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shortly afterwards Zaha\u2019s vertigo returned and he claimed a quite ridiculous penalty against Holding. Arsenal had lost their shape and control. \u00d8degaard replaced Saka. Could they recapture a degree of control? Leno thwarted the troublesome Benteke at his near post and with 70 minutes played Arsenal were struggling. Part of the&nbsp; problem was a lack of physicality and a lack of character. Partey was fading after a strong start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zaha despite his labyrinthitis problems is always a threat. \u00d8degaard was notably less imposing than ESR had been in a central role. Tierney, much to the scorn&nbsp;of the Palace fans, was substituted by Martinelli as Xhaka came on for the hugely underwhelming Partey.&nbsp; Or was it the other way round? We didn\u2019t lay out&nbsp;\u00a345 million in straight cash for a central midfielder we have to bring off at the climax of games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Good defending by Gabriel cleared a dangerous Schlupp cross away, Ayew&nbsp; prodded a weak header at Leno and as Arsenal broke Aubameyang failed to convert an excellent Chambers cross. Palace\u2019s last game was at the weekend but they appeared much the fresher side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arsenal had a long period of playing the ball across the pitch trying to work a crossing position without playing a ball,&nbsp; but then \u00d8degaard found himself on the ball on the edge of the area. His clever ball to the far post found Martinelli who knocked it over Guaita and bundled it in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Palace 1 Arsenal 2 (Martinelli 90+ 1)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While playing out time P\u00e9p\u00e9 took a ball into the heart of the Palace defence, showed wonderful control, and slipped the ball into the net. A superb individual effort that clinched the game for Arsenal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Palace 1 Arsenal 3 (Pepe 90 + 4)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Final score &#8211; Palace 1 Arsenal 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So Arsenal snatched victory from the jaws of what looked likely to be a very disappointing draw . As usual with Arsenal we had more questions than answers. Why did we fade so badly? Why can\u2019t we defend set-pieces properly, and were Aubameyang and Partey, our most f\u00eated players, the most disappointing performers on the night?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the positive side I liked Leno reinventing himself as a cross-catching goalkeeper. Dave Seaman and Bob Wilson will be delighted and perhaps surprised. I thought Rob Holding continued a fine run of form. Tierney was terrific going forward in the first half and Elneny had a very efficient match. Above all, Arteta\u2019s substitutions worked well and Martinelli\u2019s vigour and awareness won the game; P\u00e9p\u00e9 showed real quality to take his total for the season to 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Palace waved farewell to Roy Hodgson with a crystal eagle. It\u2019s not a solid gold Invincible trophy but he has stabilised Palace. Has Arteta galvanised Arsenal to a welcome chance of European salvation?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If you haven&#8217;t yet read &#8216;Fan Memories of the &#8217;71 Double&#8217; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3115\">Part 1<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3291\">Part 2<\/a>, Clive&#8217;s &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3361\">Personal Memories of the Road to the &#8217;71 Cup Final<\/a>&#8216;, or Ray&#8217;s &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3390\">Personal Overview of the 1970-71 Season<\/a>&#8216;, click on the links to catch up with these wonderful reminiscences. And be sure to watch both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=2850\">Episode 1<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3268\">Episode 2<\/a> of the video conversations with Bob Wilson and Pat Rice; Episode 2 is also linked below. Our auction of signed memorabilia is still open and about to enter its final week &#8211; check out the items below. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>THE CONVERSATION:  EPISODE TWO<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>And again&#8230;the second part of the conversation, and the second part of our Double Celebration<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">GHF.com are pleased to release this, especially considering the Arsenal events of these past few weeks.  <strong>Lift your spirits<\/strong> by watching the second episode of two video conversations with Bob Wilson and Pat Rice about Arsenal&#8217;s 1970-71 Double year, on the 50th Anniversary of our FA Cup win over Liverpool at Wembley.  Remember to donate to <a href=\"https:\/\/willowfoundation.enthuse.com\/pf\/goonerholicsforeverforwillow-24136-5ca24\">Willow<\/a>, or bid on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?page_id=2492\">GHF.com Auction<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Click on the image below (or on the Youtube link below that) to watch<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong> &#8220;Episode Two: Double Glory &#8212; The 1971 FA Cup Run&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video oncontextmenu=\"return false;\" controls=\"\" controlslist=\"nodownload\" preload=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/ghf_ep2_fa_cup_double.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Or, watch here:  <strong>&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/tXKX_cJKyow\"><strong>Episode Two: Double Glory &#8212; The 1971 FA Cup Run<\/strong><\/a>&#8220;<\/strong> (on Youtube).  This is especially helpful if you&#8217;re having any loading issues with the link to the one the site is serving above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let us know what you think in the &#8220;drinks&#8221; section below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>THE AUCTION<\/strong>:  NOW ACCEPTING BIDS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/auctionitems-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2891\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We are also pleased to remind you that our auction of signed 1970-71 Double memorabilia <strong>is open for bids through 23 May!<\/strong>  For full information, please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?page_id=2492\">The Double\/Willow Auction<\/a> tab above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just a taste&#8230;the lots offered are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lot 1<\/span><\/strong>: A 1971 Cup Final replica shirt signed by Bob Wilson, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, George Graham &amp; Charlie George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lot 2<\/span><\/strong>: A 1971 Cup Final programme signed by Bob Wilson, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, George Graham &amp; Charlie George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lot 3<\/span><\/strong>: A second 1971 Cup Final programme signed by Bob Wilson, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, George Graham &amp; Charlie George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lot 4<\/span><\/strong>: Bob Wilson&#8217;s autobiography, &#8216;Behind the Network&#8217; signed by Bob Wilson &amp; Ars\u00e8ne Wenger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All proceeds from the auction go to the Willow Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"534\" height=\"154\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2855\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image.jpeg 534w, https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image-300x87.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image-75x22.jpeg 75w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 534px) 100vw, 534px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Embed from Getty Images Two injury time goals of quality and invention by Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas P\u00e9p\u00e9 clinched a very important 3-1 victory for the Gunners, after Christian Benteke had again frustrated his favourite opponents with a goal to equalise a well-taken strike by P\u00e9p\u00e9 on the half-hour. Results must go their way on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3446"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3446"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3446\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3451,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3446\/revisions\/3451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3446"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3446"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3446"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}