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League Cup Advertisement live Updated 3m ago 35 New Updates Subscribe to The Athletic on an exclusive offer here. GO FURTHER Arsenal opt to not activate Kieran Tierney contract extension option Getty Images 54' Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace There it is! And it was coming. Jesus finally delivers, and it’s a brilliant goal too. Game on! Advertisement 51' Arsenal 0-1 Crystal Palace How on earth have Arsenal not equalised there? ! Tierney in space down the left — which does look Arsenal’s most likely route to success so far — and his low cross is a delight. It scrapes through the box to Sterling, who is free at the far post. His first effort lacks conviction and is straight at Henderson. His second smashes the crossbar. He should have scored with both. Trossard and Merino both go close with efforts after that, but this is the closest Arsenal have got so far… 50' Arsenal 0-1 Crystal Palace Dean Henderson has been solid in the Crystal Palace goal thus far. One expects there will be plenty more for him to deal with as the second half continues. He will need to be in good form if Crystal Palace are to get a result here. Getty Images 48' Arsenal 0-1 Crystal Palace Odegaard and Saliba coming on allows Timber to move to right-back, as Partey had looked uncomfortable at times. It’s harsh on Nwaneri, who was Arsenal’s best player by far in the first half. A bit like at the weekend against Everton, when chasing a goal surely there is room to play two midfield creators in Odegaard and Nwaneri? Big half for Arsenal to keep their cup hopes alive. Getty Images 46' Arsenal 0-1 Crystal Palace We are back under way at Emirates Stadium, and we’ve got three changes between the two sides ahead of the second half. It’s a double change for the hosts as Arsenal bring on captain Martin Odegaard and influential centre-back William Saliba, for Ethan Nwaneri and Thomas Partey respectively. As for the sole Palace change, that is Nathaniel Clyne for Caleb Kporha, who was booked — though it may well have been preplanned. Here's Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi reacting after he slipped on the wet turf just off the pitch and nearly went careering into a cameraman in the first half. The damp, skiddy conditions may have an impact on play in this second half. Particularly the defenders. Advertisement Getty Images In his first press conference as Crystal Palace manager, Oliver Glasner said 'I'm no David Copperfield' in reference to the American magician. Well, Palace fans think he's magic and he appears to be floating mid-air here. So who are we to argue? Martin Odegaard is out in his kit with the captain’s armband warming up, so it should be safe to say he’ll be coming on for the second half. Saliba is also coming on. Well then, this is poised beautifully for a significant second half at the Emirates. Arsenal will have felt they had control, but I wonder if it was Palace who were really calling the shots? Here are the half-time numbers… HT: Arsenal 0-1 Crystal Palace The big thing Arsenal need from here is to start moving the ball quicker and create some better chances, because right now it looks like they’re waiting for a set piece to unlock things. And on this occasion, that might not be enough. Jean-Philippe Mateta, destroyer of corner flags, and dreams. Looking back at the replay of the early Crystal Palace goal, Jakub Kiwior was beaten too easily. Yes, Jean-Philippe Mateta is a big, strong boy. But Kiwior was hesitant and weak from the initial challenge when decisiveness and bravery was needed. Mateta then shrugged him off inside the penalty area too, before slotting it past David Raya. You can't imagine the physically excellent William Saliba or, especially, Gabriel being beaten in that manner. And we might well see one of them in the second half to counter Mateta's presence up front. Advertisement Getty Images Arsenal's most important staff member, and Mikel Arteta, there. I kid, of course, but set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has become an integral figure at the club since being poached from Brentford. Arsenal are so strong at set pieces under his careful eye and tested Palace on several occasions in the first half, from quick long throw-ins to that first inswinging corner that Jefferson Lerma had to clear almost off his own line. Mikel Merino found himself free from a floaty corner to the back post too. Palace will need to watch out in the second half. Getty Images It's really not been great for those watching on from an Arsenal persuasion, including Declan Rice here. They've been slow, looked sluggish on the ball, and vulnerable at the back. The upside? Mikel Arteta has a very, very strong bench to change things up if needed. They need to improve, but they almost certainly will. Loving these snaps. Getty Images HT: Arsenal 0-1 Crystal Palace One added minute, one smart touch from the goalscorer Jean-Philippe Mateta — and with that, the first half comes to an end. Crystal Palace lead, Arsenal look short of clinical edge and creativity, and you suspect this game is going to get some chances. Sooner rather than later. Getty Images 44' Arsenal 0-1 Crystal Palace Gabriel Jesus tries another pass that is a yard or two off and slows the Arsenal attacking momentum. Raheem Sterling is then flagged offside later in the move. Two sentences that rather sum up this Arsenal performance so far. Advertisement Getty Images 42' Arsenal 0-1 Crystal Palace Arsenal’s play both in and out of possession has been too passive in this first half. Defensively they haven’t had any authority in 50-50s, which has given Palace encouragement — and on the ball they have been too happy to pass backwards. Palace are content with the play being in front of them at the moment, with Arsenal not doing much to change the picture. 40' Arsenal 0-1 Crystal Palace We’re talking a bit about Palace getting a little deep and Arsenal starting to find and push for opportunities. But you’d also have to say that the early goal and having a lead to protect would figure high in Glasner’s hopes for tonight. They have looked comfortable enough to his point and the game is still even on chances created (three shots each, two on target each) — just not in terms of possession. Arsenal have had 73 per cent of possession. Getty Images 34' Arsenal 0-1 Crystal Palace Excitement has turned to nerves for Palace fans here. The away end is definitely significantly quieter than it was even 10 minutes ago, as a result of the sustained Arsenal pressure.