Five things we learned from Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Character of a captain – to step up and take the penalty after his recent miss against Everton, Luka Milivojevic showed courage for both penalties. The first, because of his recent miss and his second because it was vital for Palace to capitalise while they were dominating late on. He will admit he didn’t have his best game, constantly hassled and caught in possession a number of times. But, to still have the character to demand the ball to take the penalty he should be applauded.

Sorloth of the bench – he has had some criticism since his arrival but today the Scandinavian proved to be a useful tool off the bench. With Palace playing more direct he held it up well and brought Meyer, Townsend and Zaha in to the game better than Ayew who started. He will be looking to get a start next week and on his efforts today you wouldn’t say he didn’t deserve it.

Zaha is the heartbeat – Every week Zaha is the man everyone talks about. There is a reason for that. He was unplayable at against Arsenal. The ability to beat a man is priceless in this league, but Zaha has the ability to beat three or four men, and his contract is truly justified. Great skill to draw the foul for the penalty and potentially could be Palace’s greatest ever player……if he doesn’t move to top club, again.

There are goals in this side – a lot has been said about Palace’s inability to score. They do create chances though and were unlucky not to have scored through Zaha and Meyer who both hit the woodwork. They do lack an out and out goalscorer but this side is built to attack. With Zaha and Townsend always looking to get a shot off, and backed up by the very adventurous van Aanholt and Wan-Bissaka, it is a matter of time before it clicks and the goals come.

VAR –Aubameyang’s goal should have been chalked-off by Martin Atkinson after Alexander Lacazette clearly handled the ball in build-up. It would’ve taken seconds to come to the correct decision and again gives more evidence was seen that video technology is required in the league.