Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace: Score and Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match

Arsenal kept pace with the Premier League’s top title contenders in Week 19, beating Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday. 

Olivier Giroud opened the scoring with a sensational scorpion kick before half-time, and Alex Iwobi doubled the lead after the break. The Gunners were never troubled by the Eagles, who were unable to muster chances until it was too late.

As Arsenal’s official Twitter account shared, Mesut Ozil missed Sunday’s clash due to illness, while Shkodran Mustafi returned from injury, taking a spot on the bench:

The time for waiting is over – here’s our first starting XI of 2017#AFCvCPFC pic.twitter.com/HtkOESu47P

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 1, 2017

Despite the absence of Ozil, Arsenal started Sunday’s match well, with Alexis Sanchez and Iwobi linking up early. The former picked out Lucas Perez with a great cross, forcing Wayne Hennessey into action for the first time.

Giroud and Perez both couldn’t make contact with a tricky ball from Nacho Monreal, and Mohamed Elneny saw his shot blocked. The Gunners kept pushing, and Sanchez fired a shot narrowly wide after a brilliant solo action.

Iwobi drew a fine save from Hennesey before Giroud deservedly opened the scoring, converting an early contender for goal of the season. The Frenchman copied Manchester United star Henrikh Mkhitaryan with a scorpion kick of his own, but this one clipped the crossbar on its way in.

Former England international Gary Lineker couldn’t help but make this joke:

Unquestionably the best goal scored this year #Giroud

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 1, 2017

The Gunners pushed for more goals, and Palace could …

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