Patrick Vieira agonisingly denied a winning return to Arsenal with the last kick of the game as Alexandre Lacazette earns Gunners a point after Crystal Palace had come from behind to lead 

  • Patrick Vieira's return to Arsenal saw Crystal Palace leave the Emirates with an point after a 2-2 draw 
  • The Gunners enjoyed a brilliant start after  Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found the net after just eight minutes
  • But the Eagles levelled not long after the break as Christian Benteke before Odsonne Edouard put them ahead
  • Substitute Alexandre Lacazette scored a late equaliser to salvage a point and extend Arsenal's unbeaten run
  • Latest Premier League news, including live action and results 
  • Premier League table - as it stands 

Patrick Vieira puffed out his cheeks. His team didn’t deserve this.

Alexandre Lacazette stole a point for Arsenal at the death; a point they barely deserved - Mikel Arteta will know that.

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How Arteta could have done with a player of Vieira’s ilk last night. He wouldn’t have stood for this tepid Gunners performance.

He wouldn’t have allowed Arsenal to throw away a lead so meekly as they did.

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Of course, it’s not his problem any more. It may be one day, you’d imagine Vieira is destined to return to Arsenal as manager one day.

Patrick Vieira's hopes of a victorious return were dashed after Arsenal's last-gasp equaliser denied Crystal Palace a win
Arsenal's substitute Alexandre Lacazette scored an added-time equaliser to spoil Vieira's party on his return to the club
The Eagles boss thought he would leave with a win but Lacazette slammed home from close range to break Palace hearts

He’ll certainly be on their radar if he continues to mould Crystal Palace into an embodiment of himself. Tough and gritty but with a sense of style that leaves its mark on the pitch.

They had a plan. They executed. They should have won - if they did Arteta could have had no complaints.

Despite this heartache, Palace are heading in the right direction under Vieira.

That’s not something you can say with authority about Arteta and Arsenal, right now. Yet, somehow, Arsenal have stretched their unbeaten run to six matches - despite this performance that’s hard to argue with.

Quickly and powerfully out of the blocks, Arsenal’s early intentions were clear. Vieira had seen it all before, of course. The Arsenal teams he played in were often out of sight barely before the opposition had time to settle. Often they had them beaten before the game had kicked off.

The Arsenal teams Vieira played in were ruthless. Times change, though. Arsenal certainly have since those heady days.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang helped Arsenal take an early lead within eight minutes after a brilliant start at the Emirates

But in Aubameyang - at least when he wants to be - the Gunners have a striker who would have fitted into Arsene Wenger’s moat accomplished teams quite comfortably.

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The Arsenal captain was sharp when Vicente Guaita clawed out Nicolas Pepe’s arcing effort that was heading towards the top-right hand corner.

Aubameyang was certainly more alert than the man who was meant to be marking him; James McArthur, whose split second loss of concentration proved fatal.

All of sudden Aubameyang had burst in front of the Palace midfielder. All of a sudden Arsenal were taking an eighth minute lead, the Gabonese prodding home from close range at the back post.

It was no less than Arsenal deserved; Palace, for all their recent improvement under Vieira were tentative.

Mikel Arteta's side dominated possession in the opening minutes of the game before Aubameyang put them ahead

The Palace boss’ response was to whip off his coat and stand hands on hips in his technical area.

MATCH FACTS

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale 7; Tomiyasu 5.5, White 6.5, Gabriel 6.5, Tierney 6.5; Partey 6.5 (Martinelli 81), Odegaard 6 (Lacazette 67, 7); Pepe 7, Smith-Rowe 6.5, Saka 6.5 (Sambi 46, 6.5); Aubameyang 7. 

Subs: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Cedric, Tavares, Elneny.

Arteta: 6.5

Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Guaita 6.5; Ward 6.5, Andersen 7, Guehi 7, Mitchell 7, Gallagher 7, Milivojevic 6.5, McArthur 6.5 (Kouyate 67, 6); Ayew 6.5 (Olise 71), Benteke 7, Edouard 7.5 (Tomkins 82). Booked: McArthur

Subs: Butland, Hughes, Mateta, Schlupp, Clyne, Kelly.

Vieira: 7

Referee: Mike Dean - 6.5

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Even at 45 years of age, that’s still a menacing sight. And slowly but surely, his team started to react.

Christian Benteke saw his, albeit tame, penalty appeal turned down by Mike Dean in the 13th minute before the Belgian tested Aaron Ramsdale with a low shot from distance.

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Having resembled a rabbit caught in the headlights during the opening exchanges, Palace were finding their feet.

They were doing it with a swagger, too. It will take a while for this squad to fully adapt to Vieira’s possession-based style after the directness of Roy Hodgson’s football.

But the Frenchman’s message certainly appears to be seeping through. Odsonne Edouard and Benteke both missed opportunities before the break before Ramsdale denied Connor Gallagher’s brilliantly executed volley from 20 yards to ensure Arsenal kept their lead at half-time.

Palace were behind, yet Vieira would have been encouraged by his team’s first-half.

In contrast, despite the score, you’d imagine Arteta wouldn’t have been too enamoured with what he’d seen.

Partly because he had to replace Bukayo Saka with Albert Sambi Lokongo at half-time after McArthur’s reckless whack on the England international’s ankles just before the break.

But primarily because his team, having threatened to steamroll Palace, had faded to give their London rivals hope.

Indeed, that hope manifested into a deserved equaliser in the 50th minute.

Takehiro Tomiyasu’s square pass into Thomas Partey was an accident waiting to happen. Jordan Ayew didn’t need a second invitation, stealing the ball away from Partey before it broke to Benteke.

The Palace’s striker’s execution was clinical, striding forward before firing an unstoppable low shot beyond Ramsdale to level.

Vieira swung his clenched fists in elation as the Emirates let out a collective groan.

But Arsenal had got exactly what they deserved, no-one in the stadium could argue against that.

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Christian Benteke fired home from 18 yards to draw Palace level as the Eagles battled their way back into the Emirates clash
The former Aston Villa and Liverpool striker gives out a roar after putting Palace back into the contest in north London

Ramsdale tipped Ayew’s rasping effort over the bar just 10 minutes as Palace sensed blood.

Arteta responded by introducing Alexandre Lacazette in place of Martin Odegaard in search of a second, and the Frenchman was denied by Guaita after Aubameyang’s excellent flick just moments after his substitution.

But by this point, Palace were oozing confidence and style; carrying threat whenever they broke.

So it was no surprise when Edouard fired the Eagles ahead in the 73rd minute, firing off the underside of the crossbar following excellent build-up play from Gallagher and substitute Michael Olise.

Vieira’s arms were aloft, Arteta stood with his hands in his pocket.

But just when Vieira thought he’d left his spiritual home with an unforgettable win; Lacazette slammed home from close range to break Palace hearts.

Arsenal boss Arteta will be a relieved man as his side battled to a nervy draw - but Palace easily could have sealed three points
Nicolas Pepe jostles for possession of the ball with Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur during the early stages
 

Catch up on all the action from Crystal Palace's agonising 2-2 draw with Arsenal with Sportsmail's ISABEL BALDWIN. 

  • Isabel Baldwin

    Host commentator

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21:59
FULL TIME: Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace

Palace miss out on the chance to climb above Arsenal after Lacazette's last-gasp equaliser salvages a point for the hosts.

21:58
GOAL Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace

And they can!

Returning hero Patrick Vieira's has been floored by a dramatic late equaliser from Arsenal substitute Alexandre Lacazette as the Gunner's snatch a point at the Emirates.

The Frenchman has looked sharp ever since coming on and has finally ben rewarded.

21:51
90'

Four minutes of added time have been announced.

Is it enough for Arsenal to find something special and steal a point?

21:50
89'

A call for VAR is quickly dismissed. 

Nicholas Pepe finds the ball on the right side and surges into the box before taking a tumble.

His theatrics are quickly dismissed by Mike Dean who's having none of it.

21:49
87'

What a miss!

A sure sign things aren't going Arsenal's way tonight. 

The ball comes out to Kieran Tierney who is completely unmarked on the far side of the box.

He has plenty of time to take a touch and pick his spot but he thunders an effort at the crossbar.

21:43
82' Palace chnge

Odsonne Edouard replaced by James Tomkins.

The Eagles striker is met with a standing ovation as he leaves the pitch past the travelling supporters.

21:41
81' Arsenal substitution

Mikel Arteta turns to Gabriel Martinelli as the Brazilian comes on for Thomas Partey to provide Arsenal with another greatly needed goal threat.

21:35
GOAL Arsenal 1-2 Crystal Palace

Scrap that.

Just when Arsenal looked like they were going to pull ahead again, Palace score against the run of play. 

Lokongo loses the ball on the attack and Gallagher leads the Palace counter attack charge.

The balls ends up with Edouard on the edge of the area who sends a rather unorthodox effort past Ramsdale and into the roof of the net.

21:33
72'

Since Lacazette came on Arsenal have looked like a goal threat once again. 

Lokongo plays the ball in to Aubameyang who hits a one-touch pass in to Lacazette who sends a curling effort towards goal that is excellently tipped around the post by Guaita.

The Frenchman has certainly livened things up on the pitch.

21:32
71' Another change for Palace

Michael Olise comes on for Jordan Ayew

21:28
66' substitution for Palace

Palace also make a change as Lucas Milivojevic comes off for Cheikhou Kouyate.

21:28
66' Change for Arsenal

Odegaard makes way for Alexandre Lacazette, who scored for Arsenal the last time they beat Palace. 

It's a move the crowd clearly approve of.

Could it be a good omen for the Gunners as they look to pull ahead again?

21:26
64'

Arteta's side looking to push forward as they aim to put themselves back in front.

Thomas Partey twists away from two Crystal Palace players and goes for goal from distance again. 

Once again, not far off.

21:19
56'

Palace are benefitting from a surge of momentum since equalising and another wonderful chance presents itself for the visitors.

Crystal Palace get forward quickly and Odsonne Edouard runs towards the box as the Arsenal defence backs off.

The ball falls to  Ayew on the edge of the area who lashes a shot at the Arsenal goal.

And Ramsdale had to help that one over.

21:12
GOAL Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace

Palace burst of dominance at the end of the first-half pays off as they find an equaliser not long after the restart. 

It's a horrible mistake from a Gunners' point of view.

Partey is sloppy in possession, gets caught square and loses the ball to Jordan Ayew in his own half before the ball is played to Benteke on the edge of the area.

The striker missed some sitters in earlier in the game but he wasn't squandering this one as he fires home from 18 yards to draw the game level.

Game on!

21:09
48'

So close to a corker for Thomas Partey!

The midfielder picks up the ball around 35 yards from goal and hits a curling effort at goal that goes just wide of the mark.

I reckon Guaita was a tad was worried about that one as he scrambled across goal!

21:07
We're back underway at the Emirates!

James McArthur's challenge late into the first-half seems to have made his mark on Bukayo Saka as he makes way for Sambi Lokongo. 

Plenty of fans unhappy with that rash challenge, could it spice up this second-half?

21:05
Neville and Carragher back Palace
Neville: 'They've been pretty good, Arsenal are in for a real game. I just worry where that goal's coming from (without Zaha).'
 
Carragher: 'There has been a big contrast in terms of first half and second half for Crystal Palace. There could be joy for them second half.'
21:02
Auba finding form at home
20:59
Aubameyang sets the tone for Arsenal
'Aubameyang set the tone for the three young players behind him, and he's getting the reward for his work rate,' says Gary Neville at half-time.
 
'It makes a massive difference to how you react off that. Palace have reacted really well, they've done well in the game. Between the boxes they're doing very well, they just need that killer instinct.'

Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher tells SkySports MNF:'Arsenal made a brilliant start. I've questioned (Aubameyang) before. But just look at him, he's running at full pace, sprinting across the pitch.'


20:52
HALF TIME: Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Arsenal will have welcomed that half-time whistle after a nervy end to the first half.
 
Despite a brilliant start, they have sat back more and more since scoring and the crowd began to get just a touch restless.
 
The Gunners go in at the break in front, but Arteta will not be happy after Palace enjoyed a spell of dominance towards the end.
20:50
45 + 3'

A terrific save to deny Crystal Palace an equaliser on the brink of half-time!

A late chance comes as Gallagher lets fly with a vicious right-footed effort that forces a spectacular save from Ramsdale.

20:48
45 + 1'

As we head into added time, the first corner of the game arrives for Palace. 

A break from Palace down the right with Ayew wins the corner for the visitors.

Milivojevic swings the ball in from the right flank and finds Benteke who flicks it on to McArthur. But his effort is straight at Ramsdale who saves well.

It's offside anyway so wouldn't have stood even if it found the net.

20:46
42' YELLOW CARD

James McArthur does find himself in the book this time. 

In almost immediate retaliation to Saka's yellow, McArthur swings a very wild boot at  the Arsenal youngster's leg.

20:44
41' YELLOW CARD

Bukayo Saka clips Ayewvand Mike Dean immediately shows the game's first yellow card

The Arsenal support rather cynical in response to that booking after McArthur got away with on similar earlier. 

20:38
35'

Mitchell's well-anticipated move sees him latch on to a loose ball from a heavy touch by Thomas Partey and aggressively pass by the Arsenal backline.

Smart thinking from Mitchell then sees him pull the ball back to Edouard in the box but he rockets it over the bar.

 

20:34
29'

Odegaard gives away free kick in a dangerous position as he catches Jordan Ayew.

It serves a golden opportunity up on a platter to Palace but Luka Milivojevic's terrible delivery fails to beat the first man.

What a waste.

20:32
Vieira sharing some words of wisdom to his side against his old club
20:30
28'

A chance the Eagles should have done better with and Arsenal are off the hook.

The Gunners should be concerned they allowed Benteke to turn on the edge of the box so easily.

McArthur picks up the ball in the middle of the park and feeds it into Benteke on the edge of the area.

The presence of Gallagher to his left seems to panic the Arsenal defence and Benteke is allowed to get a shot away but it fails to find the corner and his stopped by Ramsdale who has finally seen a bit of action in goal over the last five minutes or so.

20:27
24'

A first shot on goal for Crystal Palace!

Conor Gallagher and Odsonne Edouard exchange a nice series of passes to open up the Arsenal defence.

Gallagher shoots from the edge of the box but it's held up by Ramsdale.

20:25
22'

Another chance for the hosts.

Jordan Ayew is caught on the ball inside his own half by Thomas Partey who tees the ball up for Emile Smith Rowe.

After surging forward the midfielder attempts a shot from range despite falling. The fizzing, low effort is easily scooped up by Guaita.

Arsenal are causing Palace all sorts of problems.

20:21
Without Zaha

Palace's stats without Zaha don't look great do they...

The Eagles have played 23 without the talisman and won just three and lost 18, failing to score in 18.

Not exactly reassuring for Vieira.

20:19
17'

Pepe's ball into the box takes a touch off a Palace player and goes behind for their second corner of the game. 

Odegaard's delivery is into the middle of the box and after a scramble Pepe's snapshot is wayward and the visitors seize the chance to clear.

20:17
Flipping fantastic

I'd say Aubameyang rather enjoyed that one...

20:15
13'

It's an extremely half-hearted penalty appeal for the visitors.

Benteke picks up the ball around 30 yards from goal and dribbles into a crowded penalty area before going down. 

He gestures for a penalty but Mike Dean is having none of it - and rightly so.

20:14
12'

The home crowd are loving the strong start from Arsenal. 

The Gunners are barely giving Palace a sniff of the ball as they rampage on the hunt for a second.

20:11
GOAL Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Aubameyang on the rebound!

He's on quite the streak at home.

Bukayo Saka causes a problem as he dribbles in from the left and wins a corner off Joel Ward.

The resulting kick sees the ball played out to Nicolas Pepe on the right flank who hits a wonderful curling effort at goal. 

Guita thinks he's done enough as he parries the ball away but Aubameyang is there at the back post with quick reactions.

There's still work to be done, however. It's a tight angle but his wonderful finish finds the back of the net.

It's exactly the fast start Arsenal were looking for.

20:05
3'

Arsenal are sloppy in possession and Benteke takes advantage with a powerful run but an excellent defensive midfield intervention from Thomas Partey stops him in his tracks.

20:03
2'

It's the home side who have seen most of the ball in the first two minutes but it slips out of their possession. 

Luckily for them, Palace can't hold onto it either.

20:01
Kick off!

Peep peep!

The players kneel in support of football's anti-racism message and we're underway at the Emirates.

19:54
'It will be a deserved welcome back' for Vieira

Mikel Arteta believes it will be a deserved hero's welcome back for Patrick Vieira when he makes his way down the tunnel. 

'It will be a deserved welcome back to the club after what he did,' he tells Sky Sports.

'I think Palace deserve much more than what they have after the performances they have had. Patrick has completely changed the style of the team.

'We had to react and rebuild from the situation we were in. That is in the past now.'

19:52
The Eagles boss on Zaha's absence

'He wasn't feeling well at all and didn't have any training with the team. He's feeling better but wasn't good enough for him to be part of the squad today.'

19:50
Patrick Vieira on his return
'When you spend nine years somewhere, it's always strange to come back. I was part of a really good generation of players who made history for this club. I would be really pleased with a good reception, but it's about playing well.'
19:46
The players are warming up

19:39
Arsenal v Crystal Palace stats courtesy of opta
Arsenal have won just one of their last six Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace (D4 L1), though it was in their last such meeting in May (3-1 at Selhurst Park).
 
Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last three Premier League away games against Arsenal (W1 D2). The Eagles had only avoided defeat in three of their previous 16 visits to Highbury/Emirates Stadium in league competition (W1 D2 L13).
 
Arsenal have won their last seven Premier League home games played on a Monday, scoring 15 goals and conceding just twice in return.
 
After an 11-game winless run in Premier League London derbies, Crystal Palace won their last such match 3-0 against Tottenham. The Eagles haven't won consecutive league derby matches since April 2017, which included a 3-0 win against Arsenal.
 
Coming into this weekend’s games, no side has conceded more first-half goals in the Premier League than Arsenal (6). However, no other team have scored fewer goals before half-time than Crystal Palace this term (1).

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira made 279 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, with only five players making more for the club in the competition. Vieira will be just the fourth person to have played for the Gunners in the Premier League and then managed against them in the competition, after David O’Leary (W3 D2 L9), Tony Adams (L1) and Remi Garde (L1).

19:28
'We probably were a bit harsh' on Arsenal insists Gary Neville

Gary Neville insists fans were too quick to judge Arsenal at the start of the season following their tough start and depleted numbers.

 'We probably were a bit harsh on them at the early stage of the season. They had a really tough start, and they were really depleted against Brentford,' he says on SkySports MNF.


19:15
Changes

Arsenal's sole change comes as Lokonga drops out and Pepe comes in.

Meanwhile Zaha is out for Palace after coming back feeling poorly from international duty and Benteke takes up the baton up front.


19:09
The two teams in full

Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Thomas, Odegaard, Pepe, Smith-Rowe, Saka, Aubameyang. 

Subs: Leno, Lacazette, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Cedric, Tavares, Sambi Lokonga, Elneny, Martinelli.

Crystal Palace: Guaita, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Gallagher, Milivojevic, McArthur, Ayew, Benteke, Edouard. 

Subs: Butland, Tomkins, Olise, Kouyate, Hughes, Mateta, Schlupp, Clyne, Kelly.

Referee: Mike Dean

19:02
Confirmation of this evening's Crystal Palace side
19:01
Here is the Arsenal side picked by Mikel Arteta

18:55
Team news coming up shortly

We will have confirmation of the two team line-ups for you in a few minutes.

18:44
Patrick Vieira is adored by Arsenal fans but he heads to the Emirates with a point to prove

18:37
Patrick Vieira returns to Arsenal

Two former Arsenal captains face off in opposite dug outs at the Emirates tonight. 

Patrick Vieira returns to Arsenal as Crystal Palace boss after spending nine trophy-laden years as a player there between 1996 and 2005.
 
Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can extend their unbeaten home run after winning five of their last six home games in all competitions. 
 
The Gunners have seen a much-improved defensive performance in recent weeks, keeping three clean sheets in their last four games on the back of a return to a relatively clean bill of health. 
 
Welcome along to our live coverage of Monday night's Premier League fixture - it’s Arsenal vs Crystal Palace