ARS 4 - 1 CP: A Record Ninth London Derby Win* Keeps Us on Track

 I guess you don't get a new manager bounce with a caretaker.  Palace showed signs of life, but they had little of the ball and could not cope with our offense under sustained pressure.  Ramsdale was clearly enraged that his defenders allowed a corner to drop in front of his goal for Schlupp to poke in.  He'd done some good work to keep a clean sheet up 'til then.  But the outcome was sealed in the first half after two fine team goals from our wingers.  As in the Fulham game, every Arsenal player performed very well.  This is what we will have to do the next ten games.  Zaha might have given Holding a torrid time, but Rob did enough to keep Zaha's opportunities limited.  He still had two great chances and almost cashed in, but luck was on Ramsdale's side.  If Holding can keep playing this well, Saliba's injury won't necessarily be a disaster.

Watch the highlights here.  Arseblog's "By the Numbers" column on this game.

The Gunners now have an eight point lead on City, which has a game in hand and a game to play against us.  Palace is still in 12th but only three points from the drop zone.  Amazing.  They should be fine, but you never know.

The season resumes in two weeks after the international break, which I think comes at a good time for us.  Saliba may be fit to play in three weeks, and Jesus and ESR look at about 80%.  Maybe Eddie can get healed as well.  Tomi looks to be out for the season.

* This is the first time any team has won nine London derbies in one season.  Of course, there are seven London teams this go-round:  Arsenal, Spuds, Chelsea, West Ham, Fulham, Palace, and Brentford.  There usually aren't more than six, often five.  We'll have the opportunity to extend that record against Chelsea and West Ham too.