“Arsenal’s PL title chase takes wings.”

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Arsenal (2) 4 v 1 (0) Crystal Palace 

 28 Martinelli, assist Saka                                   63 Schlupp

 43 Saka, assist White

 55 Xhaka, assist Trossard

74 Saka, assist Tierney

Yellows: Nil                                                              Tomkins                Referee: Stuart Atwell

Played Sunday 19 March 2023 at The Emirates Stadium, attendance 60,247. 

The result of this latest Premier London Derbies (PLDs) match looks an easy win for the home side and it was. It was Arsenal’s wingers, to use an old-fashioned term, who showed the way with their speed, skill and “desire” Head Coaches increasingly prize. Gabriel Martinelli, on the left, opened the scoring converting a cross from Bukayo Saka on the right. He then went on to score 2 himself making it 12 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League (PL) – the only player in double figures for both so far this season. The once “bad boy” Granit Xhaka was scorer of a fourth goal.  

For Crystal Palace this was their 13th match without a win and their 5th defeat in a row, although their first by more than 1 goal since 4 January 2023. The Eagles, or rather Wilfried Zaha, had their chances including one shot early on which came back off the post and then off goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and out for a corner. Jeffrey Schlupp’s goal was soon cancelled out by Bukayo Saka’s second. They dismissed their Head Coach Patrick Vieira the former Arsenal favourite last Sunday, and although 12th have only 27 points from 28 games being 3 points above PLDs West Ham United in 18th with 24 from 26. 

There are no PLDs matches this weekend, it being the International break. In the Women’s Super League (WSL) it is the North London derby of Tottenham Women v Arsenal Women which had the WSL record crowd last season. The teams are at opposite ends of the WSL with Arsenal Women 4th of 12 with 32 points from 14 games and Tottenham Women 9th with 12 from 15. Their positions may be closer in the men’s PL but the points difference is very similar – 19 in the WSL and 20 in the PL. Harry Kane would be the only Spurs player guaranteed to start in a combined North London men’s XI, but he is now the outright leading England goal scorer with 54 following his penalty in England’s win over Italy on 23 March! 

Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.