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The Gunners came into Saturday’s London derby looking to bounce back from a trio of defeats which have seen them lose ground in the race for the Premier League title and crash out of the FA Cup.
Wayward finishing cost Mikel Arteta’s side, particularly against West Ham and Liverpool, but they got off the best possible start against the Eagles.
The Arsenal manager’s decision to drop Gabriel Martinelli to the bench resulted in a change of corner taker and from Declan Rice’s deep delivery, Brazil international defender Gabriel powered home his second goal of the season.
On closer inspection, however, it became clear how the centre-half benefited from hitching a ride on the back of Palace defender Chris Richards.
VAR saw no issue with the goal, but Neville was quick to point out similar the challenge was to the one Gabriel, himself, encountered in the build-up to Newcastle’s winning goal against Arsenal earlier this season.
Arsenal fans and Mikel Arteta were rendered furious with the decision to allow the goal which condemned the north London club to what was, at that stage, their first defeat of the Premier League campaign.
‘Arsenal fans think this is a foul then,’ wrote Neville on X. Responding to a fan he added: ‘No mate I don’t think it’s a foul like i didn’t at Newcastle.’
While there was an element of controversy about the goal, former Rangers manager Mark Warburton preferred to focus on the generous defending Arsenal benefited from.
‘Palace will be disappointed with the marking from the set piece. It is a very poor goal to give away, the marking was so poor,’ he said.
‘Great ball from Zinchenko behind the defender for Trossard in terms of winning the corner, and a great delivery from Rice for the goal.
‘An important first goal here for Arsenal.’
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