Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points on Saturday thanks to a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.
Mikel Arteta put the Gunners ahead from the penalty spot early in the second half before he was sent off for a foul on Adlene Guedioura.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the visitors wrapped up the victory late on thanks to a header from Olivier Giroud.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the action between the teams at Selhurst Park.
Match statistics:
Palace:
Shots 13
On target 4
Possession 38%
Corners 4
Fouls 12
Arsenal:
Shots 10
On target 4
Possession 62%
Corners 3
Fouls 8
Was the result fair?
Despite Arsenal earning the spoils, Palace will probably feel aggrieved that they did not take a point from the match. The hosts looked anything like Premier League strugglers as they put their opponents under plenty of pressure throughout. However, it was the Gunners who were ultimately more clinical in front of goal.
Palace's performance
If there were claims before the match that the Palace players were lacking commitment this season then you would not have guessed it from this display. They took a while to get into the game but once they did it was a real contest. The Eagles defended doggedly and looked dangerous in attack, making Arsenal work for the win when others thought it might be a walkover for the visitors. More of the same and Palace will have a fighting chance of staying up.
Arsenal's performance
Make no mistake, this was one of Arsenal's toughest games of the season so far. Arsene Wenger's side dominated possession for large chunks but often failed to make any use of it. However, the visitors excelled in defence as they had to soak up intense spells of Palace pressure. This result is likely to bring immense satisfaction to players and fans alike as it is the type of game that they would not have won in seasons gone by. Championship-winning form? Quite possibly.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Bacary Sagna: The Arsenal full-back hardly put a foot wrong during a busy 90 minutes for the visiting defence. Sagna did well to snuff out any danger coming down the flank while providing a good attacking outlet for his side going forward.
Biggest gaffe
Palace ended the first half brilliantly, giving their fans plenty of hope by holding Arsenal to a goalless opening 45 minutes. However, all of that hard work was undone a minute after the break when Adlene Guedioura cut down Serge Gnabry inside the area, allowing Mikel Arteta to give the visitors the lead from the penalty spot. It was a reckless challenge that gifted the Gunners the advantage.
Referee performance
It was very much a display of contrasts from Chris Foy. On the one hand the official was disciplined in terms of keeping a lid on the match. However, there is sure to be plenty of talk as to whether he got the sending-off right. Mikel Arteta was indeed the last man, but he and Adlene Guedioura were a long way from goal as they wrestled for the ball. The man in the middle also made one or two other curious decisions.
What next?
Palace: The Eagles continue their Premier League campaign next Saturday when they travel to West Bromwich Albion.
Arsenal: The Gunners have a big fourth-round tie in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday as they welcome Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium.
Jack Prescott
