Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s opener was canceled out by Christian Benteke before Odsonne Edouard gave the lead to Crystal Palace, but Alexandre Lacazette scored a 95th minute equalizer for Arsenal.
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Arsenal and Crystal Palace played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Emirates in the Monday night Premier League fixture. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s opener was canceled out by Christian Benteke before Odsonne Edouard gave the lead to Crystal Palace. But Alexandre Lacazette scored a 95th minute equalizer to deny Crystal Palace its second win of the season. Meanwhile former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira was seconds away from a victory at the club he won three Premier League titles at a nine-year spell as a player.
The hosts took an early lead within eight minutes of kick-off. Nicolas Pepe played a one-two with Takehiro Tomiyasu before attempting a brilliant left-footed curler from the right side. Although the Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita did well to deny the ball from going into the far corner, Aubameyang was lurking at the far post to slot in the rebound from a tight angle.
In response, Benteke forced a save out of Arsenal custodian Aaron Ramsdale. Meanwhile, just before the break, Conor Gallagher forced a full stretch save from Ramsdale with a first time volley from outside the box.
James McArthur was fortunate to see only a yellow card for a reckless foul on Bukayo Saka and the Arsenal youngster was off during the interval.
After the break, The visitors came out with a bit more intent and equalized within five minutes of restart. Thomas Partey was closed down by Jordan Ayew in the midfield and the ball broke to Benteke. The Belgian international skipped past Gabriel Magalhaes before slotting the ball past Ramsdale and into the goal with a powerful low drive. Palace grew in confidence after the goal and Ayew’s attempt from outside the area was tipped over the bar by Ramsdale.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta introduced Lacazette in the 67th minute and the Frenchman linked up with Aubameyang straight away to force a brilliant save from Guaita. However, Palace took the lead in the 73rd minute after Arsenal were once again being robbed of possession. Sambi Lokonga was dispossessed and Palace drove into opposition territory before Edouard smashed the ball past Ramsdale and into the goal off the underside of the bar.
Vieira’s side opted to sit back and soak the pressure and nearly worked out as Kieran Tierney’s thunderous shot rattled the underside of the bar and went away. However the home side equalized literally with the last kick of the match as Palace failed to clear their lines and Lacazette slotted in from close range to share the points.
After the draw, Arsenal are placed 12th in the points table with 11 points from 8 games while Crystal Palace are two places behind them with eight points from as many games.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta: “We started the game very well, very dominant, very fluid. We deserved a goal and scored the goal, were in total control. After that we lacked composure, belief and maturity to manage the game.
“We didn’t enjoy that period. We changed a couple of things at half-time, we were better and controlled again, but then we gave the ball away, something you cannot do in this league.
“After that it was a difficult mountain to climb but credit to the team, they never gave up, the substitutes were magnificent, and we created three big chances and scored the goal I think we deserved right at the end.”
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira: “It was so close, but we have been saying that a little bit too often. We have to learn from the games we played previously. I am really disappointed because the way the team came back in the second half, they deserved to win the game.
“I am frustrated for them; they were brave and showed character and to concede a goal like that I am disappointed for my players. We conceded those goals on set pieces on the second phases and we need to work on that. We have to pull our sleeves up and put our bodies on the line.
“We were really unlucky today; it is the way it is, but I believe there is more to come from the team to challenge even better. These games will make us stronger. A performance like that allowed me to be more demanding of the players and go back to the field and improve ourselves again.”
