'Everyone knows': Oliver Glasner frustrated with referee decision during Arsenal's 3-2 win over Crystal Palace
One or two Arsenal supporters may have been concerned when they saw the strength of Crystal Palace’s starting eleven on Wednesday evening. Mikel Arteta rang...
One or two Arsenal supporters may have been concerned when they saw the strength of Crystal Palace’s starting eleven on Wednesday evening.
Mikel Arteta rang the changes from an Arsenal point of view, choosing to replace eight players from their disappointing 0-0 draw with Everton last weekend.
Whereas Palace were only forced into finding a replacement for the suspended Daniel Munoz, with Caleb Kporha making his full debut in place.
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League Cup
The 18-year-old started very well on the right, especially in terms of marauding forward, even if his night became difficult from a defensive point of view thereafter.
In terms of full-backs, Kieran Tierney was excellent for Arsenal, a performance the N5 faithful were over the moon to see.
Oliver Glasner thought Gabriel Jesus was offside for second Arsenal goal
That being said, Palace manager Oliver Glasner felt a slight injustice after the game, lamenting the lack of VAR in the EFL Cup.
Glasner thought that his side gave Arsenal too much respect, but then also had a complaint about Jesus’ second goal, which he believed was offside.
As stated, there was no help for the officials given the competition, and despite straying beyond his defender, Jesus was allowed to thump the ball past Dean Henderson.
Glasner summarised: “It was the perfect start but already in the first half we looked like we played with too much respect, a little bit too cautious. Especially in possession.
“We need a performance of our top level and it was not a performance at our top level. It was positive that we scored two goals, but at the end it is a little bit frustrating because if you score two at the Emirates then it should have been a penalty shootout at least.”
Speaking about Jesus’ second, Glasner continued: “I think it was offside but there is no VAR. Everyone knows this. They had too many chances in the second half, we gave them too many chances. When they found the gaps we shifted too slow.”
Crystal Palace get their chance for revenge on Saturday
Of course, it’s a pretty unique scenario in which Arsenal and Palace will square off again at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday.
Substitute strikers Jesus and Eddie Nketiah both gave good accounts of themselves scoring in Wednesday’s contest, and it’ll be interesting to see if either did enough to earn a start.
In that respect, Martin Odegaard will definitely play, someone who changed the game for Arteta under the Emirates lights.
Odegaard was more influential than Jesus in some regards during the 3-2 win, constantly breaking the lines in the second half.
A delicately poised tie for this weekend, and Glasner may be relieved to have VAR back in play.
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