Arsenal vs Crystal Palace match review

Arsenal's 11-game winning run came to an end at Crystal Palace, who scored from the penalty spot twice in a pulsating 2-2 draw on Super Sunday.

Palace started brightly with Wilfried Zaha hitting the post and Andros Townsend firing wide after a free-flowing move down the left wing. Arsenal were lacklustre, with numerous misplaced chances and were on the backfoot for the beginning of the game. The opening goal came just before the break when Skhodran Mustafi needlessly tripped Cheikhou Kouyate inside the area. Despite the fact there was minimal contact, the referee was always going to give it when you dive in in the 6-yard box. Milivojevic made amends for his miss at Goodison Park, finding the bottom corner with a perfect penalty, sending Berndt Leno the wrong way.

As has been the case for most games this season, Arsenal responded after the break and were level inside six minutes, with Granit Xhaka smashing home a phenomenal free-kick past Wayne Hennessey from the corner of the box. The gunners used this as a platform, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring what was controversial goal to put Arsenal 2-1 ahead. The ball appeared to hit Alexandre Lacazette’s hand on the way through to Aubameyang, who’s shot only counted due to the use of goal-line technology. According to sky sports, the ball only went over by 11 milimetres, highlighting what an excellent addition the technology has been to the English game.

Arsenal could not find the required quality on the counter to get a decisive third goal and Zaha, who had been a constant menace, provided the game-changing moment with seven minutes remaining. Zaha expertly cheated by jumping on the floor with next to no contact from Xhaka’s out sticking leg. Martin Atkinson was fooled, and pointed to the spot. Milivojevic put away an excellent penalty, with it going in even with Leno going to the correct way.

What did the game teach us?

The result brings Arsenal’s 11 match winning run to a close and reminded Arsenal fans that there are still improvements to be made. This is still Emery’s first season in charge, and to put things into perspective, 11 wins and a draw in their last 12 games is an excellent tally considering all factors. As for Crystal Palace, this was the first time they’d scored a home goal in a long time. The Palace faithful will be hoping that this point can kickstart there season as they look to avoid relegation successfully.

Who impressed?

Despite cheating to win a penalty, Zaha caused Arsenal problems the whole game, producing some excellent running and dribbling throughout the game. Only Jamie Vardy has won more penalties than him since 2015, and after watching his theatrics yesterday, its not hard to understand why. As for Arsenal, Lucas Torreira was once again excellent, stipulating extra protection for the defence by producing numerous interceptions, and providing that aggression in the middle of the park needed to be successful in the premier league.

Player Ratings:

Arsenal: Leno (6), Bellerin (6), Mustafi (5), Holding (6), Guendouzi (6), Torreira (8), Xhaka (6), Ozil (5), Iwobi (6), Lacazette (5), Aubameyang (7)

Subs: Welbeck (6), Lichtsteiner (5), Ramsey (6)

Crystal Palace: Hennessey (6), Van Aanholt (7), Tomkins (6), Sakho (7), Wan-Bissaka (8), Milivojevic (7), McArthur (6), Kouyate (6), Townsend (6), Zaha (8), Ayew (6)

Subs: Meyer (6), Sorloth (6), Puncheon (6)