Podolski, Ozil and more: Twitter reacts as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace

Ten-man Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table after goals from Mikel Arteta and Olivier Giroud helped seal a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men when Arteta was sent off midway through the second half but the Gunners held firm to cement their spot at the top.

The game inevitably prompted a flurry of reaction on Twitter – and here are our favourite updates, in chronological order.

BT Sport’s Michael Owen (‏@themichaelowen) updates his followers from Selhurst Park before the game: “Dry and blustery here at Selhurst Park. Conditions may suit Palace more than Arsenal but hard to see anything other than an away win.”

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud ‏(@_OlivierGiroud_) is getting into game-mode: “That’s what we need today COYG!!! #afc #aaron #me #goal #kneeslide #arsenal #fans #heyjude! #loveit”

Ex-England defender Gary Neville (‏@GNev2) is not impressed by the state of the Selhurst pitch: “I have to say that leaving the grass long and dry shouldn’t happen. Grass should be a regulation height and always watered. A pet hate!”

Injured Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski (@Podolski10) is ready to watch the game: “Just finished Training. Now ready for watching AFC in London Derby!;) come on Gunners !! #afc #arsenal #gunners #podolski #poldi #aha”

Celebrity Arsenal fan Piers Morgan (‏@piersmorgan) is concerned as Mathieu Flamini is substituted early on: “If that was Flamini’s groin strained, then we just lost him for Chelsea, Liverpool, Dortmund & United. #AFC”

Palace’s Cameron Jerome ‏(@camjerome33) is pleased to see the home side get to half-time with the score at 0-0: “So far so good great first half! Got to keep it up 2nd half will be tough #cpfc”

Golfer Ian Poulter ‏(@IanJamesPoulter) is thrilled to see Mikel Arteta fire the visitors into the lead from the spot: “Go on Arsenal happy days. 1-0”

Morgan ‏(@piersmorgan) cannot believe referee Chris Foy’s decision to send off Mikel Arteta: “What??? Ridiculous decision. Chamakh elbowed him first. #Arteta. Chamakh could be standing INSIDE the Arsenal goal and I still wouldn’t consider him a ‘goal-scoring opportunity’.”

After Giroud makes it 2-0 at the death, England legend Gary Lineker ‏(@GaryLineker) chimes in: “Arsenal appear to be 5 points clear at the top of the Premier League. How did that happen?

Gunners playmaker Mesut Özil ‏(@MesutOzil1088) is the first player to tweet his thoughts after the game: “It’s wonderful to win the early saturday game and then watch the other Teams. #arsenal #PremierLeague”

Podolski (‏@Podolski10) is naturally thrilled for his team-mates: “Next win, next three points in derby, great job AFC!!!”

Finally, Aaron Ramsey (@aaronramsey) reserves praise for goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny and posts the picture above: “2 great saves from WS today. Great win for us after going down to 10. Good way to bounce back after midweek upset… ”