Arsenal v Crystal Palace review

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Arsenal v Crystal Palace review

By Oscar Maung-Haley

An injury time equaliser from Alexandre Lacazette salvaged a point for Arsenal in last night’s 2-2 Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.

Here’s a review of all the action on the night that Palace manager Patrick Vieira returned to face the Gunners.

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A point gained or two dropped?

It can be either or really, whichever way you spin it for both sides.

Mikel Arteta’s men got the game off to the perfect start when Nicolas Pepe’s strike was parried by Palace keeper Vicente Guaita into the path of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who fired home to give the Gunners the lead.

Aubameyang’s goal was certainly a positive for the Gunners, with the Arsenal skipper now having scored three in his last three home games.

But two second-half goals for Palace from Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard saw Arsenal chasing the game with 20 minutes left on the clock.

And late in injury time, they managed to find their equaliser when Lacazette netted following another parried save from Guaita.

Obviously, it’s a good thing Arsenal picked up a point and Palace will feel frustrated to have given up their lead that late.

Additionally, Palace were also without the services of dangerman Wilfred Zaha, which undoubtedly improved the Gunners' chances.

In the past there is every chance that they could have capitulated once Edouard’s thunderous strike found its way past Aaron Ramsdale.

But it still feels frustrating that Arsenal were unable to put away an opponent, that on paper, are vastly inferior to Arteta’s side.

Sloppy on the ball

Both of Palace goals came from relatively quick counter attacks that saw them rob Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga of the ball in midfield.

Firstly, Partey, under duress from Jordan Ayew, gifted the ball to Christian Benteke, who produced a superb low driven strike past Ramsdale to equalise for the Eagles.

Then, again in the second half, Sambi Lokonga gave the ball away cheaply following a challenge from Conor Gallagher, which resulted in Edouard unfurling a rocket of a strike past Ramsdale.

In recent weeks, Arsenal have looked solid in the middle of the park – nothing too world beating, but solid.

The two midfield mistakes will give Arteta cause for thought in a game that they really should have taken all three points.

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VAR, what is it good for?

Lining up a volley inside the area, Bukayo Saka was scythed down by Palace midfielder James McArthur after referee Mike Dean had blown his whistle for an infringement.

McArthur went straight through Saka’s standing leg, making absolutely no effort to play the ball.

It was a reckless challenge that resulted in McArthur only being awarded a yellow card for a foul that left Arsenal needing to substitute Saka at half-time following his heavy fall.

The fact that it was also reviewed by VAR makes it all the more mystifying as to how the Palace midfielder remained on the pitch.

There are certainly benefits to VAR.

But they weren’t on full display at the Emirates last night.

PHOTO CREDITS: GETTY IMAGES

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