As a dress rehearsal for a Champions League first leg against AS Monaco, this struggle at Selhurst Park on Saturday could hardly have been ideal for Arsenal. A backs-to-the-wall battle on a tricky pitch as Crystal Palace bombarded their back four – and later five – is hardly the type of encounter that Arsène Wenger or anyone else expects to see in the later stages of the elite European competition. However, as an example of the new resolve in Arsenal’s approach to away matches, it was another sign that Wenger’s men are serious about ensuring an 18th consecutive top‑four finish. Their 10th win in their past dozen games took them to third place on...
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