SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Crystal Palace delivered a spirited display on Thursday night, as they held an in-form Arsenal side to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s men had just won four games in a row, so to earn a point from the London derby was a fine result for Roy Hodgson.
Things could’ve been even better, as Christian Benteke drew a fine save from Bernd Leno with a glancing header, while James Tomkins hit the bar.
On the topic of Tomkins, the former West Ham man was absolutely superb.
WhoScored shows that the 31-year-old made a game-high six clearances, while also making one tackle and two interceptions.
Tomkins – who cost the Eagles £10 million – has missed most of this season due to a hamstring injury he picked up all the way back in February.
Without him, the south Londoners only kept one clean sheet in 16 Premier League games, and even that came on the opening day against Southampton.
Since he came back into Hodgson’s XI, it is telling that Crystal Palace have kept back-to-back clean sheets against Sheffield United and Arsenal.
The Eagles No.5 is arguably Hodgson’s best centre-back option on his day, and it is absolutely imperative that Crystal Palace keep him fit.
