Giroud, Iwobi score as Arsenal thump Palace 2-0

Goals from Olivier Giroud in the first half and Alex Iwobi in the last 45 minutes spurred Arsenal to a comfortable 2-0 win against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Arsenal who seemed to have lost ground in the title race by defeats to Everton and Manchester City are now third-placed in the league after defeating Sam Alladyce men at the Emirates Stadium.

Giroud’s goal was the highlight of an otherwise lacklustre first half, and the Frenchman was crown the Man of the Match.

With a cross from Alexis Sanchez delivered behind him, Frenchman Giroud elastically reached the ball with his left foot, looping it over his head and in off the underside of the bar.

“It is not difficult to say it is the best one. I was a bit lucky but it was the only thing I could do; the ball was behind me and I tried to hit it with a backheel,” Giroud said after the game.

“Maybe Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s goal inspired me, it’s the only thing you can do in that position. It is nice for me and the team because we start the year with a win.”

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An Alex Iwobi header gave Arsenal a second in the 55th minute which got the Gunners relaxed unto victory.

The win moves the Gunners back to within nine points of leaders Chelsea, while Palace stay 17th, two points above the relegation zone.

Sam Alladyce, the new boss at Crystal Palace, is however full of expectations from his new team after the defeat; and said the club’s season will be mostly defined by how they play with teams in the bottom half of the league.

“Our season won’t be defined by results against the top six,” said Allardyce.

“What we do when we play the teams in the bottom half of the league will be the defining reason of whether or not we get out of the bottom half.

“I have every confidence in the players that it will turn around and hopefully as quick as possible,” he added.

Arsenal will travel to play against Bournemouth in their week 20 fixture on Tuesday, while Palace will host bottom club Swansea on the same day.

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