• Pictures: the best images from Sundays matchesThis was a grind but, as they have shown regularly this term, Arsenal are not averse to squeeze out tight, patient victories these days. Arsène Wengers side are restored to the top of the Premier League and considerably buoyed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains first goals in 14 months. They will watch the two teams directly below them slug it out on Monday night, satisfied their own job was done.It was heartening to see Oxlade-Chamberlain drive them on here, summoning energy just as anxiety was threatening to undermine Arsenals efforts. This was a first league start since the seasons opening day, the 20-year-old operating effectively in the centre of midfield and ensuring the hosts did not suffer the same exasperation as that endured last week by Chelsea against a team struggling against relegation. They made their chances count.This had followed a prescribed script, the visitors retreating deep with ranks massed behind the ball, and the onus all on Arsenal to break them down. Julián Speroni, his place now under threat from Wayne Hennessey, had reacted smartly to turn aside Mesut Özils flighted free-kick, the goalkeeper not distracted by Laurent Koscielnys leap in front of goal, but that was the most clear-cut of the hosts first-half opportunities. There was a clipped volley from Nacho Monreal, again choked by Speroni, and rather too much huff and puff to little effect with the first chorused wave of frustration sweeping round the ground before the 20-minute mark.It was not that Arsenal lacked invention. Özil and Santi Cazorla, all sublime touches when collecting pinged possession, were threatening when offered space in which to revel. But there were only pangs of drive to their play. When Lukas Podolski injected pace in the pass to his exchanges down the left flank, Palace were stretched and vulnerable, but the whole occasion rather drifted. In that context, the reality that Arsenal have managed only three first-half goals in their last 10 league games was not surprising.Yet urgency invariably comes with a half-time reminder of responsibilities and, within three minutes of the re-start, the locals had a lead to ease their nerves. Cazorla, as he had for Monreal, proved creator with a gloriously clipped diagonal pass beyond Palaces rearguard. Oxlade-Chamberlain had eased away from a dawdling Marouane Chamakh and duly exploited space behind Joel Ward before clipping beyond the advancing Speroni. The midfielder had not scored since December 2012 and celebrated with gusto.Arsenal will need him to excel in that central midfield brief in the absence of Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and now their loan signing from Spartak Moscow, Kim Kallstrom, who was pursued despite being saddled with a back injury. Oxlade-Chamberlains second was just as crisply converted, the midfielder exchanging passes with Olivier Giroud before dispatching a low shot across and beyond Speroni and into the corner. His return from that long-term knee ligament injury has been timely.Palace, too, have seen this before. Their industrious resistance had been eroded at Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City already this term, their relative spirit of adventure unrewarded at Chelsea. The sights of goal gleaned here were fleeting, thwarted by heavy touches or the simple isolation of their forward-line, though Cameron Jerome should have thrust them level after Yannick Bolasie had nodded on Jason Puncheons centre. Wojciech Szczesny, so uninvolved up to then, did well to turn the header beyond his near-post.They brightened upon Barry Bannans introduction, the Scot adding to the numbers in midfield and scurrying eagerly into the fray, and will be bolstered in their next run out – against the side directly above them, West Bromwich Albion – by the trio of other deadline day signings who were ineligible in north London. Thomas Ince, Joe Ledley and Scott Dann are significant additions to this team, and will be needed as their scrap goes on. Arsenal will merely rejoice in the return of a player eager to make his mark.Man of the match Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)Premier LeagueArsenalCrystal PalaceDominic Fifieldtheguardian © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 19:07:10 +0000