Gunners have learned art of winning ugly

PREMIER LEAGUE:

However Arsene Wenger’s attentions have already turned to an awkward Champions League tie in Istanbul tomorrow that could lever them out of the ground before the cement has time to dry.

A late Aaron Ramsey winner against managerless Crystal Palace, in a match in which Arsenal went 1-0 down in the first half to a header from a corner by debutant Brede Hangeland, ensured there is a very different atmosphere around the Emirates to this time last year when the squad was recovering from a miserable opening-day defeat against Aston Villa — and the FA Cup was yet to be won. But it is certainly not yet time for complacency.

Arsenal’s performance was more about a never-say-die spirit than cohesive football against a Palace side that made life difficult for Wenger’s men for long periods; and now a trip to Turkey to face Besiktas is a further test of those qualities.

The fact that both goals on Saturday came from set pieces — a free-kick headed home by Laurent Koscielny before half-time and a corner eventually turned home by Ramsey in the 90th minute — is testament to the new more pragmatic Arsenal that Wenger hopes will carve out title success this season. But there was also a real rustiness about their passing and a lack of end product from big-name players that indicated there is still a long way to go.

Even Alexis Sanchez, who looked bright on his debut, struggled to make a real impact on the game as he ran into traffic too often and over-hit crosses — an affliction that seemed to affect the entire Arsenal team. But a win is a win, as they say, and considering so many other teams found three points difficult to come by at home this weekend, there was a feeling of positivity in north London when the final whistle blew.

Arriving in Turkey today, Wenger has early injury concerns to consider, however. Kieran Gibbs picked up a hamstring problem on Saturday while Koscielny played against Palace despite a sore Achilles and will need to be watched closely — meaning Per Mertesacker is on standby.

Wenger said: “If Koscielny is fit and capable to play, we play him. It was our plan to bring the Germans back in contention for Everton next weekend. But in case of emergency I will take Mertesacker. It’s a bit early for him; ideally we’d need one more week preparation. But he’s willing to play, no problem.”

Having worked so hard last year to reach the Champions League there is, of course, huge pressure on Arsenal not to falter at the final stage, with Wenger adding: “We are desperate to do it because we want to play in the Champions League and we know how big these games are. We are desperate to go through. No matter what it costs we want to go through.”

Arsenal’s task has been made that little bit more difficult by the Turkish media who have picked up on comments made by Wenger in 2007 when Besiktas lost 8-0 to Liverpool and Arsenal beat Slavia Prague 7-0, which seemed to suggest he felt weaker clubs shouldn’t be in the Champions League. The result is a media storm in Turkey, with fans in Istanbul preparing anti-Wenger banners for the match.

“They are specialists to do that. I never said that,” Wenger retorted, referring to the Turkish media “They create always things like that. I’m used to playing Turkish teams and I never said that.”

Arsenal’s new club captain, Mike Arteta, knows what to expect tomorrow, especially as the team visited Fenerbahce at the same stage of the competition last year. “We fought really hard to reach the Champions League on the last day of the season and we need to play a knockout game in Turkey,” he said. “It will be a difficult atmosphere, they will be in our face. I like playing in atmospheres like that. It’s different to what we are used to here in England and it’s attractive to players.”

Thankfully for the FA Cup holders they do have Ramsey to call on; and having scored in his opening two games of the season, the Welsh midfielder — who ran more than 11km in Saturday’s game and still had the legs to score in the last minute when Debuchy’s shot was parried — is rapidly becoming a talisman for the new Arsenal.

“To score late is down to his mental strength but also to his physical strength. He has outstanding physical qualities,” said Wenger. “He still can get in the box when others have hesitation to go as far. He’s a winner as well. All these things together make him special. But as a team, we are better at winning these type of games. Now we have to show that for the whole season.”

That just about sums it up for Arsenal because there are so many tests of character ahead; but at least they can face them this year in a positive atmosphere — and with a growing team spirit that could be the basis of a very important season.

Arsenal’s performance was more about a never-say-die spirit than cohesive football against a Palace side that, despite seeing manager Tony Pulis walk out on the club last week and despite having Jason Puncheon sent off for a second bookable offence in the 89th minute, made life difficult for Wenger’s men for long periods — the trip to Turkey to face Besiktas is a further test of those qualities.

ARSENAL: Szczesny 6, Debuchy 6, Chambers 7, Koscielny 8, Gibbs 6 (Monreal 53; 6), Arteta 6, Wilshere 5 (Oxlade-Chamberlain 69; 6), Ramsey 7, Cazorla 6, Sanchez 6, Sanogo 5 (Giroud 62; 7).

CRYSTAL PALACE: Speroni 7, Kelly 6, Hangeland 7 Dann 7 (Delaney 74; 6), Ward 6, Puncheon 6, Jedinak 7, Ledley 7, Bolasie 6 (O’Keefe 90), Chamakh 8, Campbell 6, (Gayle 85).

Referee: Jonathan Moss.