Arsenal marked Arsene Wenger's record-equalling match as a Premier League manager by winning 3-2 at Crystal Palace.

At a time when there remain doubts about his abilities despite his remarkable longevity - in overseeing his 810th Premier League fixture he equalled the record of Sir Alex Ferguson - his team displayed so many of the traits he inspires.

They often outplayed their hosts, securing victory when a finish from Shkodran Mustafi and two goals from Alexis Sanchez ensured they remain sixth and continue their push for the top four, but were also frequently stretched.

Sanchez has now had a hand in 13 goals in his last 15 Premier League London derbies, scoring 10 and providing three assists.

Sixteenth-placed Palace, who had been undefeated in eight, levelled at 1-1 early in the second half through Andros Townsend before James Tomkins' late consolation.

Shkodran Mustafi celebrates with his teammates (
Image:
AFP)

Arsenal

Cech 7 - Still waiting for that clean sheet to make it 200 but not his fault at all.

Chambers 7 - Booked. Brought back on the right of the three, did well. Tenacious defending.

Mustafi 7 - Calm finish for Arsenal’s opener and looks decent in a back three.

Koscielny 6 - No mistakes this time in a much better defensive display.

Bellerín 6 - Had a very poor game defensively, exposed, but got forward well.

Xhaka 6 - Lacks mobility in midfield even if his long range balls cause problems.

Wilshere 9 MotM - Ran the game from midfield, picked his passes and set the tempo. Excellent.

Kolasinac 6 - Wenger claimed he was weak defensively as a left back, but was brought back.

Ozil 7 - Lovely moments on the ball, sheer quality and was unlucky not to score.

Sanchez 8 - His best game in ages. Scored twice and looked in the mood again. Terrific.

Lacazette 7 - Good movement, twisted and turned in the box but was a bit sloppy.

Substitutes

Coquelin, for Lacazette, 75 mins

Maitland-Niles, for Xhaka, 87 mins

Arsenal celebrate on their way to victory over Crystal Palace (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

PLAYER RATINGS

Crystal Palace

Speroni 5 - Loves a spectacular save. Parried Lacazette’s shot into Mustafi’s path to score.

Kelly 6 - Had his hands full looking after Sanchez but stuck to his task all night.

Dann 5 - Caught ball watching and was slack defensively at times, Below par.

Tomkins 6 - Some good interceptions and worked hard to keep Palace in the game in first half.

Schlupp 7 - Defended well and got forward to good effect at times. Good display.

Loftus-Cheek 6 - Doing a job for the team on the flank, not his position but tried hard.

Cabaye 6 - Subbed early after a bruising midfield battle with Wilshere. Below par.

Milivojevic 6 - Does an excellent job anchoring Palace’s midfield. Solid display.

Townsend 7 - Lovely finish for Palace’s equaliser. Created danger on the flank and in the middle.

Zaha 7 - Booked. Given a yellow card for his constant moaning at the ref. Not his night.

Benteke 6 - Arsenal coped with him to good effect, giving him very little chance.

Substitutes

McArthur, for Cabaye, 53 mins, 6

Sako, for Loftus-Cheek, 70mins, 6

Fosu-Mensah, for Kelly, 80 mins

Andros Townsend levels for Palace (
Image:
REUTERS)

Sanchez at the double

Alexis Sanchez celebrates after scoring (
Image:
PA)

How Townsend made it 1-1

Andros Townsend of Crystal Palace scores (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Townsend levels the scores!

Didn’t you just know Arsenal would regret missing those chances...

No surprises that Wilfried Zaha was at the heart of the move, finding some space down Palace’s left.

He pulls the ball across for Townsend to run on to and beat Petr Cech with a fine first-time finish.

Can they go on and win it?

Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal heads clear (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

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Mustafi opens the scoring

Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal scores (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Mustafi puts Arsenal in front

It has been coming - and Arsenal lead!

Another fine Arsenal move sees Lacazette pick up the ball on the right of the penalty area.

His initial cross is blocked but the Frenchman lashes a shot across goal.

Julian Speroni can only parry it away and Mustafi is there at the back post to tap home.

Just what Arsene Wenger will have wanted.

Still goalless

Alexis Sanchez evades Yohan Cabaye (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)
Roy Hodgson and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (
Image:
REUTERS)
Crystal Palace's players warm up (
Image:
REUTERS)

It's a chilly one

Petr Cech before the clash (
Image:
PA)

Souness on Arsenal problems

When it is a football match, Arsenal can be a match for anyone.

But when they are confronted by raw aggression, time and time again, they have come up short.

This Arsenal team, for a decade now, have been rolled over by the likes of Crystal Palace.

Team news: Crystal Palace

Hodgson lines up his best XI, arguably.

Benteke leads the line with a dangerous trio behind him.

The pace and power of Zaha, Loftus-Cheek and Townsend will pose many questions for the Gunners.

Team news: Arsenal

Wenger drafts Kolasinac back into the XI.

It’s a back three to combat Palace.

Lacazette, supported by Ozil and Alexis, can have no complaints about service tonight.

Gunners in the house

Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal arrives (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Wenger reveals Arsenal's January transfer plans

Arsene Wenger has revealed details of Arsenal’s January transfer plans - although admitted he’d rather see the whole thing scrapped.

The Gunners boss is expecting a busy winter transfer period, with clubs in the Premier League and below looking to take Arsenal players on loan.

He added that he is “open-minded” to the possibility of signing some new recruits for the north London side, but failed to name any names nor discuss the areas in which he will look to strenghten.

Speaking to the press about whether he anticipates a busy transfer window, the Frenchman said: “Yes, because first of all you have clubs that call you to get players on loan or to buy your players.

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Image:
CameraSport)

“And as well I’m open-minded to any possibility to strengthen our team.”

Wenger has previously hit out at the January transfer window, suggesting it causes more disruption than anything else.

In a recent interview with Arsenal Player he echoed this sentiment, claiming it’s too “hectic” and leads to “rushed decisions”.

“I would scrap the transfer window in January, completely cut it off,” said the Gunners boss.

“The players today are very well paid, they make a lot of money. What you want in return is commitment to the club for the whole season.

“I think that’s absolutely vital. I think you should not be able to move once the season has started until the end of the season.

“Nobody knows [how it would affect pre-season if the window closed then]. I believe people would adapt and make their decisions earlier.

“What happens now is that you’re contacted 48 hours before the end of the transfer market and people ask if you’re still interested in a player you worked on for three months.

“They close the door and open it suddenly with two days to go. It’s all rushed decisions and hectic in the last week. I believe that is not right.”

Wenger: Arsenal players chanted, 'We want our Mars bars back!'

Arsene Wenger started his record-equalling journey by confiscating chocolate.

Twenty one years later, the Frenchman will match Sir Alex Ferguson’s record of managing 810 Premier League games, admitting his job is much harder now than just controlling the sweetie jar.

Wenger began at Arsenal with a 2-0 win at Blackburn on October 12, 1996, and went on to win three titles - which included two FA Cup Doubles - as well as making history with the Invincibles season in 2004.

The 68-year-old will match Fergie’s record with a trip to Crystal Palace which last season was one of the lowest points as Arsenal lost, with the travelling fans chanting “You’re not fit to wear the shirt.”

That perhaps puts into stark perspective Wenger’s thick skin and his ability to ride out the bad times as well as enjoy the good which included a record breaking seventh FA Cup last summer.

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Image:
Manchester United)

“I would have said ‘you’re absolutely mad, absolutely no chance’,” said Wenger when asked if he would have believed anyone who told him he would still be in charge all these years later.

“I remember when I was 33, 34, I thought that to 60, is 25, 26 years, you’ll never get there. Because every game is such a gamble.

“It’s Russian roulette, every game. So you think, at some stage the bullet will hit you. So that’s absolutely unbelievable. You can never predict that.

“I just remember in our first game I banned all the chocolate that the players had before the game. When we drove to Blackburn on the coach, the players chanted: ‘We want our Mars bars back.’ And 21 years later we are still here.

“Now they have their music (signals to his ears to show headphones). It has changed but, overall, it is more the decor that has changed. The core of the game is the same.

“What has changed is the society. We have gone to more individualism. More individual plan of careers so that is more anxious for the players as well.”

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