Arsenal 2-2 Palace: Gunners' awful defence put Sokratis & Luiz's efforts in vain

Granit Xhaka reacted furiously to home supporters booing him as Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Match Reports

That is one more headache for manager Unai Emery to contend with after his side threw away a golden opportunity to bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League after the defeat to Sheffield United on Monday.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos and David Luiz put them 2-0 up after just nine minutes, but Palace ensured a share of the spoils with a Luka Milivojevic penalty and Jordan Ayew header either side of half-time. Sokratis had a late effort ruled out after a VAR review, as Arsenal's afternoon ended in misery.

EPL standings

Match Events

7' GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace (Sokratis)

It's poor defending by Palace as they just don't clear their lines from a corner and Xhaka works it to Sokratis. He takes a touch before firing his shot past Van Aanholt on the line and into the back of the net

9' GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace (David Luiz)

It's another corner into the box for Arsenal and Palace just can't cope with it. David Luiz is unmarked at the far post and he gets there just ahead of Sokratis to score. 2-0 Arsenal!

12' Lacazette's shot stopped by Hennessey

Arsenal work the ball upfield really well and the ball falls to Lacazette on the edge of the box. He keeps his shot low as he aims for the bottom corner, but Hennessey gets down well to make the save at his near post.

32' Penalty Goal! Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace (Milivojevic)

VAR have had a long look at the penalty decision and the replays do show that Chambers stuck his leg out and caught Zaha. They also checked he wasn't offside in the build-up, but he wasn't and the spot-kick is awarded.

Milivojevic calmly steps up to the spot and fires his shot into the right side of the net to beat Leno and halve Arsenal's lead.

43' CHANCE! Pepe's shot inches wide

Arsenal take a quick free-kick and Aubameyang plays a clever pass forward to Pepe on the edge of the box. He takes a touch before drilling his shot low towards the bottom right corner, but his effort hits the outside of the post.

52' GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Ayew)

James McArthur instrumental with a fine assist.

60' Big boos at the Emirates while Xhaka being subbed off..

Emery makes the first change of the game and it's Xhaka that makes way for Saka. The fans are cheering the manager's decision and the captain is not happy with that reaction.

83' Foul! Sokratis goal disallowed

Chambers goes to ground and the fans are asking for a penalty but it's not given and Tomkins tries to poke it clear. He gives the ball to Sokratis and he fires it into the back of the net. Arsenal are celebrating but VAR are having a look at the goal as it looks like there was a foul on Milivojevic in the build-up to the goal and it has been chalked off.

Line-ups

Arsenal XI: David Luiz, Sokratis, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Leno, Xhaka, Chambers, Pepe, Tierney, Ceballos, Guendouzi

Subs: Martinez, Kolasinac, Bellerín, Torreira, Holding, Martinelli, Saka

Crystal Palace XI: Cahill, Hennessey, Tomkins, McArthur, Kouyate, Ward, Townsend, Van Aanholt, Milivojevic, Ayew, Zaha

Subs: Henderson, Dann, McCarthy, Benteke, Kelly, Schlupp, Meyer