Nervy Arsenal ride their luck

Crystal Palace 1  Arsenal 2:

Wenger was quick to highlight the fight and spirit his side showed once Crystal Palace had levelled through Joel Ward’s strike after falling behind to a superb, acrobatic volley from Olivier Giroud. The Arsenal manager also had cause to be grateful for the good fortune enjoyed by the visitors.

The winning goal came via the boot of Damien Delaney, the Palace captain, the Corkman slicing a clearance into his goal as he attempted to divert Alexis Sanchez’s 55th-minute header to safety. By then, however, Arsenal could have been reduced to 10 men after Francis Coquelin, booked in the 41st minute for a foul on Yannick Bolasie, escaped further punishment despite fouling Wilfried Zaha in first-half added time.