Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace
by Layth Yousif
at Ashburton Grove

A LAST-GASP equaliser by Alex Lacazette ensured Arsenal drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace at Ashburton Grove on Monday evening.

The goal floored the Eagles as well as their boss and Gunners legend Patrick Vieira, who dropped to his haunches in disappointment at Lacazette’s late leveller.

“It was really tough,” Vieira said afterwards, adding: “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. It’s part of the DNA of Crystal Palace.”

Earlier, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put Mikel Arteta's side 1-0 ahead in the eighth minute with his 92nd goal for Arsenal.

In a largely shapeless first 45 minutes, Arsenal were furious that referee Mike Dean only booked James McArthur for a disgraceful, premeditated kick at Bukayo Saka, who went off injured during the interval.

“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.”

Palace drew level five minutes after the interval when Christian Benteke fired home past Aaron Ramsdale following Jordan Ayew, robbing Thomas Partey on the edge of the box.

Vieira’s Eagles went 2-1 ahead with 17 minutes remaining when Odsonne Edouard fired past Ramsdale after Sambi Lokonga was dispossessed by Conor Gallagher.

As the clock ticked down, Kieran Tierney thumped the ball against the crossbar, before substitute Lacazette swept the ball home five minutes into added time after Ben White’s shot fell to him.

No wonder Vieira dropped to the ground in disappointment moments after the late leveller.

Prior to the game, Vieira — who won the Premier League title three times during his never-to-be-forgotten spell with Arsenal, including playing a vital role during the “Invincibles” season — received a wonderfully warm reception from the home support before kick-off, as he returned to face his old team for the first time as a boss.

“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.

Arsenal move to 12th place as they made it six matches unbeaten following their dreadful start to the season, while Palace remain in 14th spot after their third draw on the bounce.