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Three quick goals in 13 minutes helped Arsenal to their first win in 2018. Goals from Nacho Monreal, Laurent Koscienly, Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazette in the opening 22 minutes of the first half were enough to secure a win for Arsene Wenger’s side who were made to play without main man Alexis Sanchez due to his imminent transfer to League rivals Manchester United. Though Roy Hodgson’s men were able to pull one back in the 78th minute thanks to a volley from Milivojevic, which means that Petr Cech is still forced to wait for his record 200th clean sheet in the English Premier League.
Arsenal’s three goals in the first 13 minutes of the game is the fastest a side has gone 3-0 up in the Premier League since the Gunners themselves at Newcastle in February 2001, a game that Newcastle came from 4-0 down to draw 4-4. But Arsenal made sure history had no cause to repeat itself as they were able to see this victory through despite losing Nacho Monreal to injury, which Wenger later cleared in his post-match press conference that the knock wasn’t serious and he was just taken off for precautionary measures.
Monreal was able to connect with a Xhaka’s corner and put Arsenal ahead just five minutes into the game. The goal was followed by another Arsenal goal, but this time, Monreal turned provider as his cut back in the opposition box found Alex Iwobi who graciously slotted the ball into the net. Arsenal will go 3-0 up from yet another corner as Xhaka swung a delightful ball into the box and Monreal was once more able to find Koscienly to apply the finishing touch.
A cool interplay between Ozil and Lacazette helped the French man grab the fourth of the afternoon and ensured that his goal drought came to an end. Crystal Palace got their consolation goal from a corner kick which Arsenal failed to clear and were punished when Milivojevic was allowed space to control the ball with his chest before sending a volley into the bottom corner of Cech’s goal. The final minutes was one to forget for Palace Coach Roy Hodgson as Yohan Cabaye was stretchered off after a challenge by Mustafi. This injury adds to the already long list of injury for the South London club.
Arsenal Starting XI
Cech; Bellerin, Koscienly, Monreal, Mustafi; Xhaka, Elneny, Iwobi, Wilshere; Ozil, Lacazette, Iwobi.
Crystal Palace Starting XI
Hennessey; Fosu-Mensah, Tomkins, Kelly, Van Aanholt; Zaha, Milivojevic, Cabaye, McArthur, Sako; Benteke.
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