SMART ALEX
Sanchez sparkles to boost Wenger
ALEXIS SANCHEZ was the saviour as Arsene Wenger celebrated his landmark night with a victory.
Gunners boss Wenger matched Sir Alex Ferguson’s record of 810 games as a Premier League boss with three points – even though former Spurs star Andros Townsend had briefly threatened to spoil the party. Shkodran Mustafi gave Arsenal a deserved lead at the break. But when Townsend pulled one back for Palace four minutes after the restart it looked liked Roy Hodgson’s men could be on course to make it nine games unbeaten. That was until Sanchez took centre stage with two goals in four minutes, first crashing home a shot which flew through James Tomkins’ legs before finishing off a pinpoint Jack Wilshere through ball. Tomkins headed in late on but Arsenal hung on for victory.
ALEXIS SANCHEZ rode to the rescue for Arsenal with two goals in four minutes to turn the tables on Palace.
Just as the Eagles looked set to take flight when Andros Townsend levelled after Shkodran Mustafi’s opener, Sanchez’s quickfire double put the Gunners in the driving seat.
Arsenal arrived at Selhurst Park with horrible memories of their 3-0 mauling here back in April.
Gunners fans chanted, “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” that day, threw the ball back in Hector Bellerin’s face when it went out of play, and called for Arsene Wenger to go.
Fast forward eight months and Wenger was taking charge of his 810th Premier League game – equalling a record set by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Only four of the Arsenal team who started in that April horror show began this time, but there were a few surprises, as after letting in three at home to Liverpool in one of the games of the season last time out, Wenger switched to a back three.
And it was a shock to see Calum Chambers making his first league appearance for the club since the opening day of last season.
Palace went into the game on the back of their longest unbeaten run in the top flight since 1990 and recalled Christian Benteke, who was banned for the 1-1 draw with Swansea.
But it was Wilfried Zaha who looked most at it from the start, setting up Yohan Cabaye for a shot which skidded into the side-netting with Petr Cech at full stretch.
Then, with Arsenal growing in