Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace: Alexandre Lacazette rescues Gunners with late goal

Patrick Vieira said Arsenal’s late equaliser was “really tough” to take as his Crystal Palace side were held to a draw in a thriller at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners started brightly and led deservedly through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after Vicente Guaita’s diving save to deny Nicolas Pepe.

But Palace improved – as the Gunners faded – and Christian Benteke continued his good record in games against the Gunners with the equaliser.

Thomas Partey was caught in possession by Jordan Ayew and Benteke drilled a shot into the bottom corner.

Palace again stole the ball off Arsenal to go ahead, as this time Conor Gallagher dispossessed Albert Sambi Lokonga in his own half, and the visitors broke quickly, with Odsonne Edouard hammering in a shot via the underside of the bar.

Kieran Tierney almost equalised for Arsenal late on but blasted against the bar with his shot.

And it looked as if they were going to fall short before substitute Lacazette steered home a loose ball from close range.

“It was really tough,” Vieira told BBC Sport. “I was really disappointed to concede at the end because the players worked really hard and they deserved those three points. I feel sorry for them today.

“I liked the personality and character we showed. In the second half, we had desire to compete and won the ball quite high.

“This is the part of the game we wanted to improve, being aggressive. lt’s part of the DNA of Crystal Palace.”

Arsenal were understandably aggrieved when James McArthur was only booked late in the first half for a wild kick at Bukayo Saka, who went off injured at half-time.

“It’s a clear red card,” said Gunners boss Mikel Arteta. “He had no intention of playing the ball. I don’t know how, with VAR, he hasn’t been sent off.”

Arsenal move up to 12th with a sixth game unbeaten, while Palace remain 14th after a third draw in a row.

Vieira so close to famous return

Vieira – a three-time Premier League title winner with Arsenal, and part of the ‘Invincibles’ who went through the 2003-04 top-flight campaign unbeaten – returned to face his old team for the first time as a manager.

He received a great reception from the Gunners faithful before kick-off.

“I don’t want to say I expected it but when you spend nine years at a club like that and I was part of a generation who did well for the club, it meant a lot to me,” said the Frenchman.

For long periods, home fans may have been wondering if they have the right former Gunners captain in charge in Arteta. They might still wonder.

Palace have only lost once in six games now and even though they lost two points late on, they impressed and did not miss Wilfried Zaha, who was out through illness.

Lacazette’s late equaliser could be a huge boost for Arsenal’s confidence, though, as it stretched their unbeaten run to six games in a match they started so well.

Aubameyang volleyed in a lovely opener from a tight angle but they were then architects of their own downfall.

Both Palace goals came from Arsenal midfielders losing the ball, first Partey and then Sambi Lokonga – the half-time replacement for the injured Saka.

But that is to take nothing away from Palace, who forced those errors and deserved their lead.

Vieira may rue his decision to replace goalscorer Edouard with defender James Tomkins – who had not played a league game this season – eight minutes from time.

They were holding on at the end and the hosts showed good character to find a way through. They may have thought Tierney’s shot off the bar was their last chance but they kept the pressure on and Lacazette broke Palace hearts.

He did so with his first league goal since 11 April.

“He fights for every ball and he transmitted some belief and energy to the crowd when he came on,” said Arteta.