Arsene away daze goes on
have been over at half-time. Of course our away form is a concern, because traditionally it’s an area of our game that has been strong. It’s now a subconscious weight on our mind and a negative spiral like that is difficult to get out of.”
The opening goal arrived in a move stemming from Shkodran Mustafi’s long ball and culminating in Lacazette stretching at the far post to volley home Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s cross.
It was the Frenchman’s 13th this term and his first on opposition territory for five months. Like his team, he does not tend to travel well.
Jonjo Shelvey was a constant threat with his ability to deliver a long ball, and it was from the midfielder’s astute lofted pass from inside his own half that the hosts drew level. Shelvey’s inch-perfect pass met Dwight Gayle’s run towards the Arsenal box, and the forward’s pass out wide allowed DeAndre Yedlin to swing over an inviting cross from the right, which Perez swept home at the near post, aided by some ponderous marking from Mustafi. Arsenal should have restored their lead before the interval. Calum Chambers missed twice, volleying wide from Mustafi’s headed cross then wastefully heading over from a Granit Xhaka corner. Joe Willock, the 18-yearold midfielder making his Premier League debut, could perhaps be forgiven for fluffing his lines when he scuffed badly wide from Lacazette’s perfect tee-up. Arsenal were made to pay midway through the second half when Ritchie fired home from a dozen yards after Islam Slimani and Perez combined to find the midfielder in oceans of space in the Arsenal box.
Kenedy’s deflected shot struck the crossbar, and Perez put a late chance into the side-netting to spare the Gunners further embarrassment.
“It’s a great achievement from everyone involved to reach 40 points by this stage of the season,” said Benitez, whose side moved to within two points of Leicester in eighth.
The Spaniard, who turns 58 today, added: “It’s a nice way to celebrate my birthday. I’ve even given the players Monday off so they don’t have to get me a present.”
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very grateful to Palace for the season I’ve had.
“I haven’t thought about what’s going to happen next season.”
Hodgson said: “For Ruben to consider us seriously, we need to be in this league next term.
“The way he is playing now is the way he was playing when he was selected for England.
“He is very good at screening, keeping the ball. He’s very good at beating players. His work-rate has been very good.
“If he can play regularly, we will see him doing more and more as a player.”
Brighton remain a point above Palace, with a game in hand, heading into tomorrow’s clash with Tottenham.
But Murray said: “As a group of players we don’t feel safe.”
The former Palace striker refused to celebrate his goal, adding: “It’s always nice to come back to Selhurst. The fans always welcome me. I was just doing my job.”