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Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table with a narrow win over managerless Crystal Palace.

Palace battled well in the first half to go in at the break 0-0, but a moment of madness by Adlene Guedioura undid that good work when he needlessly conceded a penalty with a reckless tackle just two minutes after the break.

Gunners captain Mikel Arteta expertly scored from the spot, but he turned villain after being sent off for bringing Marounae Chamakh down when he was the last man. Wojciech Szczesny then pulled off two world class saves to keep the game at 1-0 as Crystal Palace, managed by Keith Millen on the day, threw everything they had at Arsenal.

Bbut Arsene Wenger's team were able to score again, Olivier Giroud heading in his eighth goal of the season after a brilliant cross from Aaron Ramsey.

M

Hero to zero: Mikel Arteta scored from the penalty spot but was then sent off as Arsenal had to play the last 25mins with 10 men

Seeing red: Arteta was then sent off for bringing down Marouane Chamakh

Making sure: Olivier Giroud headed a late second to make sure Arsenal secured all three points

Red hot: Giroud scored his eighth of the season after a brilliant cross from Aaron Ramsey

Match facts

Crystal Palace: (4-5-1): Speroni 6; Ward 6, Delaney 6, Gabbidon 6, Moxey 6; Jedinak 7, Dikgacoi 7, Bannan 6 (Gayle 77), Thomas 6 (Bolasie 58, 6), Guedioura 6 (Kebe 72); Chamakh 6.

Subs not used: Mariappa, O'Keefe, Puncheon, Price.

Arsenal: (4-3-2-1): Szczesny 8; Sagna 7, Mertesacker 8, Koscielny 8, Gibbs 7; Arteta 6, Flamini 5 (Gnabry 7, 6 (Wilshere 69); Ramsey 7; Ozil 7, Cazorla 6 (Monreal 72); Giroud 7.

Subs not used: Vermaelen, Rosicky, Fabianski, Bendtner.

Goals: Arteta (pen) 47, Giroud 87.

Sent off: Arteta.

Ref: Chris Foy.

Att: 25,050

*Player ratings by SAMI MOKBEL at Selhurst Park

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Cheers: Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker celebrate with Arteta

Man in charge: Keith Millen took charge for Crystal Palace after Ian Holloway left the club earlier this week

Match Zone: Olivier Giroud scored a late goal after a brilliant cross from Aaron Ramsey

Strike: Marouane Chamakh takes a shot against his former side

Injury worry: Mathieu Flamini was withdrawn after just eight minutes

On the move: Aaron Ramsey advances with the ball

Sliding in: Barry Bannan tackles Mesut Ozil

Pass and move: Adlene Guedioura passes the ball away from Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs

Former club: Marouane Chamakh holds the ball up against his former team-mates

On this day: Players were t-shirts to commemorate the birth of the Football Association, born on this day 150 years ago, 1863