London, October 19 (BUS): Alexandre Lacazette scored the last kick of the match as Arsenal earned a point against Crystal Palace and prevented Patrick Vieira from winning on his return to the club.
The Frenchman won three Premier League titles and led Arsenal through his unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ season and his name spread around the Emirates Stadium before and after the thrilling 2-2 draw, according to the dpa.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put Arsenal ahead early on, but since then Palace have been the better, with Christian Benteke and Odson Edward scoring in the second half to seemingly seal the match – but substitute Lacazette evened the score.
Vieira did not have the talisman of Wilfried Zaha, missed due to illness, but came close to scoring a victory over the club where he spent nine years.
He’s never seen the Emirates in Arsenal red and won’t taste a taste of victory here, as he was held back as Lacazette’s efforts prevented the Eagles from jumping Arsenal at the table.
For Mikel Arteta, while this was a tricky point, it’s another step back after three straight wins that seem to have put their faltering campaign back on track.
The warm welcome from Vieira lasted eight minutes as he hit Arsenal in front.
The hosts opened the scoring through Aubameyang, who was vigilant to press the goal at the back post after goalkeeper Vicente Guaita parried an arc shot from recalled Nicolas Pepe.
However, it wouldn’t open the gates, as the palace responded well to being left behind.
Benteke had run into Zaha and wanted a penalty after crowding into the penalty area before later firing low at Aaron Ramsdale.
It could be argued that James MacArthur was fortunate that he only escaped with a reservation after a stray kick to the back of Bukayo Saka’s calf while the half was wearing it.
Vieira’s side grew more and more in the competition and Ramsdale was at his maximum savings to save Conor Gallagher’s shot with the last kick of the half.
Saka was not out after the break as he was replaced by Albert Sambi Lukonga, likely as a result of a kick from MacArthur but also because Arteta added more steel to his midfield.
Thomas Partey saw the effort fly away as Arsenal tried to start the second half in a similar fashion – but instead they were pushed back moments later.
Takehiro Tomiyasu played the ball to Barty, who was blocked by Jordan Ayew and quickly passed the ball straight to Benteke, who calmly finished in Ramsdale’s post to equalize.
Vieira pumped up the air in celebration and could see his side sprinting forward as Io Ramsdal forced a hard tackle with the visiting side now frequently going up.
Arteta turned to the bench and introduced Lacazette in place of the ineffectual Martin Odegaard and the France striker was quickly stopped at a low level by Guaita as the match started.
Palace took the lead, once again taking advantage of Arsenal’s poor performance as this time Lokonga was denied possession by substitute Michael Olizzi.
The summer signing from Reading exchanged passes with Gallagher before finding Edward, whose powerful shot past Ramsdale just flew off the crossbar.
Arsenal reacted well, Kieran Tierney hit the crossbar and Pepe rightly took a late penalty that referee Mike Dean rejected before a final corner kick in the penalty area fell in front of Lacazette to net it from close range.