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Arsenal vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight

Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring Arsenal's equaliser (REUTERS)
Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring Arsenal's equaliser (REUTERS)

Substitute Alexandre Lacazette struck with the last kick of the game to give Arsenal a rollercoatser 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Monday after the visitors had fought back from a goal down.

Superb second-half goals from Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard had turned the match on its head after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Arsenal an early lead but Palace were denied a win as Lacazette netted at the death.

Aubameyang tapped in an eighth-minute rebound from close range after visiting goalkeeper Vicente Guaita parried a Nicolas Pepe shot but falling behind only spurred the visitors into action at the Emirates Stadium.

Benteke levelled in the 50th minute as he unleashed a scorcher into the bottom corner from 15 metres and after both sides missed chances in end-to-end action, Edouard struck with an effort of the highest quality.

The French forward, who joined Palace from Celtic during the close-season, capped a flowing breakaway move in the 73rd with a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area which crashed in off the underside of the bar.

When Palace seemed home and dry, they failed to clear a corner deep into stoppage time and Lacazette kept his wits in a goal-mouth scramble to drill in the equaliser past Guaita. Follow all the reaction from the Emirates Stadium below, live.

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Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

  • 8 min: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reacts well to grab opener

  • 50 min: Christian Benteke fires home a Palace equaliser

  • 73 min: Odsonne Edouard smashes Palace into 2-1 lead

  • 90+5 min: Alexandre Lacazette knocks home Arsenal equaliser

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace result: Alexandre Lacazette strikes at the death to salvage Gunners draw

22:30 , Michael Jones

One way or another, this was a homecoming that was going to end badly for someone. Unfortunately for Patrick Vieira, it would be in the most agonising way possible.

Having brought his well-drilled Crystal Palace to face Arsenal, the club where he built his name as a player and theirs, he was within seconds of chipping away at their legacy and pumping up his own as a manager. Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang had given Arsenal an early lead, but second-half goals from Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard gave Palace a deserved 2-1 lead right into the very dregs of this match.

Having dominated for long periods, they had one last corner to defend for just a second win that would have lifted them over their opponents in the table. Alas, a bit of pinball saw the ball fall to Ben White to volley. Vincente Guaita kept it out, but Alexandre Lacazette looming large at the back post swung his right foot as he fell to find the back of the net.

Alexandre Lacazette strikes at the death to salvage Arsenal draw against Palace

Alexandre Lacazette’s last-gasp strike snatches Arsenal a point

22:26 , Michael Jones

Alexandre Lacazette struck with the last kick of the game as Arsenal earned a point against Crystal Palace and prevented Patrick Vieira winning on his return to the club.

The Frenchman won three Premier League titles and captained the Gunners during their unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ campaign and his name rang around the Emirates Stadium before and after a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put Arsenal ahead early on but from then on Palace were the better side as Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard struck in the second half to seemingly win the game – only for substitute Lacazette to level at the death.

Alexandre Lacazette’s last-gasp strike snatches Arsenal a point

Aubameyang scores again

22:23 , Michael Jones

Another positive for Arsenal is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang getting another goal. It’s his third in three games and provides Mikel Arteta with a bit hope that Arsenal can work their way back up the table.

Reaction from Conor Gallagher

22:21 , Michael Jones

Crystal Palace midfielder Conor Gallagher says the feeling of conceding an equaliser in the final seconds is worse than losing telling Sky Sports that he and his teammates are ‘gutted’. He said:

It’s horrible, honestly. It’s so horrible. To come back from 1-0 down at Arsenal is great isn’t it? To hold on until the last 30 seconds is just horrible. We’re gutted.

“It feels worse than a defeat - if it’s possible. Nothing’s worse than thinking you’ve got three points and to have it taken away from you. We need to learn from little mistakes.

“The boys were brilliant. You can’t take the performance away from us. The whole team were class. There are a lot of positives but it doesn’t mean a lot when you don’t have the three points.

“Half-time we were confident and thought we could still win this. Hopefully we can start turning these draws into wins. You’ve got to take it on the chin and move on.”

Arsenal 2 - 2 Crystal Palace

22:19 , Michael Jones

That ending will feel like a win for Arsenal but they’ve got a lot of areas that need addressing.

They made two errors leading to goals in a Premier League game for the first time since April 2019 vs Wolves and for the first time at the Emirates since December 2017 vs Man Utd.

On top of that, they stopped playing aggressive football after around 20 minutes and only kicked back into life with the introduction of Alexandre Lacazette and Palace’s change to a back five.

Lacazette vs London teams

22:13 , Michael Jones

Five of Alexandre Lacazette’s last six Premier League goals for Arsenal at the Emirates stadium have come in London derbies, including each of his last four.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Reaction from Lacazette

22:12 , Michael Jones

Alexandre Lacazette spoke to Sky Sports after the game to talk about his last minute equaliser and the role of the fans in lifting the energy of the players. He said:

At the end we could draw, the main thing was to avoid losing. We wanted to win obviously, we started well we stopped playing. This is something we need to work on in the future and to hope to come back to the top of the league.

“The [feeling] is relief for me because it’s my first goal of the season. I need to work hard to get more minutes and I try to enjoy it as much as I can when I’m on the pitch.

“He [Arteta] told us that when we play well the fans are with us and for the opponent it is harder. So we always need to be 100% trying to win to get the crowd with us. When the fans are with us it brings an energy to the players. We saw that against Tottenham in the derby, they were with us for 90 minutes. We need to give them what they want and in return they’ll support us.”

Arsenal 2 - 2 Crystal Palace

22:01 , Michael Jones

Mikel Arteta will be a happy, happy man. Bringing on Alexandre Lacazette was a fantastic move. The striker immediately upped the tempo and caused problems around the box. If anyone was going to score it was going to be him.

Patrick Vieira meanwhile will be gutted. He was just seconds away from a winning return to Arsenal.

Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring Arsenal's equaliser (REUTERS)
Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring Arsenal's equaliser (REUTERS)

Full-time: Arsenal 2 - 2 Crystal Palace

21:58 , Michael Jones

90+6 mins: What a finish, the game restarts and the full-time whistle is blown almost immediatel by Mike Dean. Alexandre Lacazette is the hero for Arsenal rescuing a point for the Gunners with the last kick of the game.

Patrick Vieira can’t believe it. He dropped to his knees as the ball went in. Both teams take a point. Great game.

GOAL! Arsenal 2 - 2 Crystal Palace (Lacazette, 90+5’)⚽️

21:54 , Michael Jones

90+5 mins: LACAZETTE! This might be the very last kick of the game! The ball is swung into the box from the left side and goes to Martinelli. He heads it back into the middle were another header knocks the ball down to Ben White. He shoots and Guaita manages to keep it out only for the Alexandre Lacazette to jump onto the loose ball and turn it into the back of the net!

Arsenal get the equaliser in the dying seconds!

Arsenal 1 - 2 Crystal Palace

21:52 , Michael Jones

90+2 mins: Conor Gallagher has found a lot of joy when pressing tonight. He nicks the ball of Tomiyasu this time and takes a blow to the head for his troubles. Palace manage to keep hold of the ball though and eke a couple of minutes of the game.

Arsenal 1 - 2 Crystal Palace

21:49 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Lacazette fires high and wide from inside the box. There’s going to be four minutes of added time. Plenty of time for Arsenal to find an equaliser.

Arsenal 1 - 2 Crystal Palace

21:48 , Michael Jones

88 mins: OFF THE BAR! How has Tierney missed?! Pepe swings a cross in from the right wing and Lacazette gets a touch to the ball to flick it over to Tierney on the left side of the area. He takes a touch and then smokes a shot at goal going for power over placement. Guaita seems to get a little touch on the ball which rattles into the underside of the crossbar and bounces away from goal!

Arsenal 1 - 2 Crystal Palace

21:45 , Michael Jones

85 mins: Crystal Palace have nine men behind the ball with just one man up the pitch in Christian Benteke. They’re set up with a back five now and are allowing Arsenal to have the ball.

It’s a dangerous tactic to invite pressure and Arsenal almost break them down as Martinelli darts inside from the right and flicks a pass over to Aubameyang. He’s put under pressure by Guehi and only gets a touch to the dropping ball which sends it wide of the nearest post.

Arsenal 1 - 2 Crystal Palace

21:42 , Michael Jones

82 mins: Patrick Vieira wants to hold on to his lead and takes forward Odsonne Edouard off to bring on defender James Tomkins. Arsenal will throw everything into these final 10 minutes or so. Can Palace keep them out?

Arsenal 1 - 2 Crystal Palace

21:40 , Michael Jones

79 mins: Kouyate and Partey collide in the Palace’s final third with the Crystal Palace man receiving a foot to the face in the tangle as both players hit the deck.

Gabriel Martinelli comes on for Arsenal replacing Partey as Kouyate receives a bit of treatment on the pitch.

Arsenal 1 - 2 Crystal Palace

21:37 , Michael Jones

76 mins: Crystal Palace deserve this lead. They’ve been the better team for most of the match but it’ll sting Arsenal that they’ve conceded just as they were building momentum.

The goal itself was a great counter-attack, Arsenal once again taking too long in possession and getting caught napping in defence.

GOAL! Arsenal 1 - 2 Crystal Palace (Edouard, 73’)⚽️

21:34 , Michael Jones

73 mins: Palace have the lead! They defend the corner and the ball comes out to Lokonga. He’s caught on the ball by Gallagher who drives the ball up the pitch before giving it to Olise. He slots it to Edouard who takes the ball into the box and shoots. His effort hits the underside of the crossbar and bounces over the line!

Arsenal 1 - 1 Crystal Palace

21:33 , Michael Jones

72 mins: Michael Olise replaces Jordan Ayew for Crystal Palace. He scored in his previous appearance against Leicester can he do so again?

SAVE! Lacazette is played into the box by Aubameyang and hits a first time shot towards the bottom right-hand corner. Guaita gets a hand to the shot and manages to push the effort wide of the post!

Arsenal 1 - 1 Crystal Palace

21:29 , Michael Jones

70 mins: Lacazette’s introduction has sparked Arsenal into a bit of life. Palace defend the corner but the Gunners regain possession. It comes out to Tierney on the left side and he sends it up to Aubameyang. Lacazette sweeps into the box and is given the ball. He takes it to the byline and chips a pass over to Smith Rowe who attempts a volley and mishits it.

Arsenal 1 - 1 Crystal Palace

21:28 , Michael Jones

68 mins: Mikel Arteta has seen enough and makes a change bringing Alexandre Lacazette on for Martin Odegaard. Patrick Vieira also freshens things up by replacing Luka Milivojevic with Cheikhou Kouyate.

Lacazette’s first involvment wins Arsenal a corner that Pepe curls into the box. Palace head it clear but the ball falls to Ben White whose shot from range is deflected behind for another Arsenal corner.

Arsenal 1 - 1 Crystal Palace

21:24 , Michael Jones

65 mins: Lokonga gives the ball to Partey in the middle of Palace’s final third. A bit of tricky footwork sees him sweep around two Palace midfielders but hitting a shot from range and putting it wide of the right-hand post.

Arsenal 1 - 1 Crystal Palace

21:23 , Michael Jones

62 mins: Crystal Palace have truly picked up where they left off in the first half. Arsenal are just a bit too timid, they’re not moving the ball around quickly enough and seem to be going through the motions in possession. In contrast Palace are eager to attack when they get hold of the ball and are committing men forward.

Arsenal 1 - 1 Crystal Palace

21:19 , Michael Jones

59 mins: Crystal Palace aren’t lacking in confidence. They push high up the pitch working the ball down the left wing. It’s played inside and comes to centre-back Marc Guehi. He’s allowed time on the ball and takes a long-ranged shot. It’s not good. His effort sails high and wide without troubling Ramsdale in goal.

Arsenal 1 - 1 Crystal Palace

21:17 , Michael Jones

56 mins: Chance! Crystal Palace are turning up the heat on Arsenal. Edouard shimmies his way into the left side of the penalty area and takes on two defenders. The ball comes loose but it squirts out to Ayew who blasts one from just inside the box. The shot comes straight at Ramsdale and he manages to push it over the crossbar and out for a corner.

Arsenal 1 - 1 Crystal Palace

21:14 , Michael Jones

53 mins: Good defending from Andersen! Arsenal push into Crystal Palace’s final third with Odegaard running the ball across the pitch. He slips it into Smith Rowe who performs a superb spin with the ball to take it into the box. He’s loading up a shot at goal but Andersen is quickly across to cover and takes the ball away at the last moment.

GOAL! Arsenal 1 - 1 Crystal Palace (Benteke, 50’)⚽️

21:09 , Michael Jones

50 mins: Palace are level! It’s a horrible mistake from Thomas Partey but brought on by pressure from Jordan Ayew. Partey is caught in possession by Ayew deep in his own half and panics, kicking the ball straight to Benteke. He turns into the box, shifts the ball away from Gabriel and then guides it beautifully into the bottom corner. Great finish and fully deserved for Palace.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

21:08 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Chance! This would have been spectacular. Thomas Partey is given the ball about 30/35 yards out from goal. No-one closes him down and he decides to go for it. His shot is struck sweetly with a bit of swerve and dip and heading for the far top corner. Guaita shuffles across to his left and dives at the ball which finishes inches wide of the back post!

Second half: Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

21:05 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Mikel Arteta makes a change at the break bringing on Sambi Lokonga in place of Bukayo Saka. Saka took a hit from McArthur just before the end of the first half and that may be playing a part in this substitution.

The Gunners get the game back underway and work the ball down the right side. Tomiyasu swings in a cross but Palace deal with it well.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

21:01 , Michael Jones

Crystal Palace need to be wary when they get back out on the pitch. Arsenal were sitting very deep towards the end of the first half and almost got undone be a Conor Gallagher volley.

Mikel Arteta knows this and he’ll be encouraging his team to start quickly in the second half. If Palace can weather the first 15 minutes or so they could find themselves back on the front foot and maybe claim an equaliser.

Aubameyang back in the goals

20:54 , Michael Jones

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored in three consecutive home Premier League appearances for the first time since September 2019 (a run of five).

 (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Half-time: Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:50 , Michael Jones

45+3 mins: Another corner for Palace is headed out to Gallagher over on the right. He volleys it back at goal but is denied by a brilliant leaping save from Ramsdale!

The whistle goes and an interesting first half comes to an end with Arsenal one goal to the good.

The Gunners flew out of the blocks and dominated the early play getting their goal with less than eight minutes on the clock. Crystal Palace grew into the game and had the better of things in the last 20 minutes. Both managers will be relatively happy but this game is far from over.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:46 , Michael Jones

45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play. The Eagles win a corner that is swung into the box. Benteke wins the initial ball and heads it to the back post for McArthur he shoots and draws a save out of Ramsdale but then the offside flag goes up against the Palace midfielder.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:44 , Michael Jones

42 mins: Saka takes out Ayew’s legs and is shown an immediate yellow card. There’s a groan from the Arsenal fans as McArthur got away with a similar challenge a few minutes ago.

The free kick is played into the box and a game of pinball erupts. Tierney heads the ball clear and McArthur attempts to hit it on the volley. Saka is in the way though and McArthur ends up kicking the back of the Arsenal man’s legs.

Chaos ensues with the players squaring up demanding a card from Mike Dean. He saw it all and McArthur joins Saka in the book.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:41 , Michael Jones

39 mins: Ayew flicks a pass round the corner and plays Gallagher into the right side of the box. His run is tracked by Odegaard who forces him over to the corner flag. Gallagher tries to slip the ball back to Ayew but Tierney intercepts and clears the danger for Arsenal.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:36 , Michael Jones

36 mins: Chance! Palace attack down the left side with Mitchell making an overlapping run and collecting a pass knocked into the box. Tomiyasu is left scrambling and can’t get to the Crystal Palace left-back before he cuts the ball inside to Edouard who shoots and sends his shot over the crossbar!

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:35 , Michael Jones

33 mins: Palace have found a touch of rhythm now. They’re getting into more dangerous positions and pushing Arsenal deeper into their own half. Mikel Arteta is gesticulating wildly on the sidelines for his players to get up the pitch but Palace aren’t letting them.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:32 , Michael Jones

30 mins: degaard gives away free kick in a dangerous position as he clips Ayew over on the right. Luka Milivojevic takes the free kick but to beat the first man. Let off for Arsenal.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:29 , Michael Jones

27 mins: McArthur sends the ball up to Benteke who turns on the ball. Gabriel is in two-minds as to close down Benteke or cover the run off the ball from Gallagher. He does neither which allows Benteke half a yard of space just outside the box to get a low shot away. Ramsdale falls to his left and smothers the effort.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:24 , Michael Jones

24 mins: Palace put together a nice attack from the right side. The ball is played into Gallagher who slips Edouard into the box. The forward has no where to go and passes it back to Gallagher who takes a fairly timid shot from the edge of the box. The ball beats the Arsenal defenders but falls safely into the waiting arms of Aaron Ramsdale.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:23 , Michael Jones

21 mins: Saka is clipped in midfield but referee Mike Dean plays advantage with Odegaard streaming forward. He lays the ball off to Aubameyang who flicks it over the top and finds Pepe in the box. He brings the ball down and shifts to the left but Tyrick Mitchell is on top of him quickly and wins the ball.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:20 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Arsenal defend Palace’s first corner but the visitors regain possession and knock it back to the defence. Joachim Andersen fires an optimistic long diagonal pass up towards Edouard but Tomiyasu covers it and heads the ball out for a throw in.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:17 , Michael Jones

15 mins: There’s some crossed wires between Pepe and Saka as the former chips a pass into the left side of the box but Saka doesn’t make the run. Arsenal get lucky though as the ball takes a deflection and goes out for a corner.

Odegaard delivers the corner into the middle of the box. He falls for Pepe who skews a shot into James McArthur who boots the ball away.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:14 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Crystal Palace clear their lines and send the ball up to Odsonne Edouard. He carries it down the inside left as Palace fly forward on a break. Benteke is up with him and Edouard slips the ball into the box for the striker. Jordan Ayew provides Benteke with an option to the right but he goes it alone and falls over when sandwiched between Gabriel and Partey. He wants a penalty but doesn’t get one.

GOAL! Arsenal 1 - 0 Crystal Palace (Aubameyang, 8’)⚽️

20:08 , Michael Jones

8 mins: Arsenal take an early lead through a great Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finish! Odegaard swings a deep corner into the penalty area but it flies over everyone and comes out to Pepe on the right side. He plays a one-two with Takehiro Tomiyasu to hget back into the box before cutting onto his left foot and curling a shot towards the far corner. Vicente Guaita leaps across to the right and makes a fantastic save to deny Pepe but the ball rebounds out to Aubameyang near the back post and he volleys it home on a tight, tight angle. Arsenal lead.

Arsenal 0 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:07 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Conor Gallagher and Martin Odegaard both challenge for an aerial ball in the middle third of the pitch. Gallagher leans on the Arsenal midfielder and gives away a foul.

Arsenal work the ball quickly over to the left side of the pitch where Bukayo Saka drives forward and swings a cross into the box hoping to pick out Aubameyang but Marc Guehi jumps in front of the Gunners’ captain and heads the ball clear.

Arsenal 0 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:03 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Arsenal look to take control of possession in the middle of the pitch but a loose backward pass gives the ball away to Christian Benteke. He drives up the pitch and takes the ball to the edge of the box. Arsenal’s central defenders back off him but Thomas Partey sprints back to win the ball with a nice tackle.

Arsenal 0 - 0 Crystal Palace

20:00 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Crystal Palace get the match rolling. The ball is sent down the left wing and goes straight out for an Arsenal throw in.

Here come the teams

19:57 , Michael Jones

Luka Milivojevic leads out Crystal Palace with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang taking charge of the Gunners. The players make their way out of the tunnel followed by the managers. Patrick Vieira gets a great reception from the Arsenal fans.

Gary Neville criticises ‘appalling’ Manchester United and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

19:54 , Michael Jones

Gary Neville criticised Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to play the “struggling” Harry Maguire against Leicester City on the weekend and described Manchester United’s performance as “appalling”.

Gary Neville criticises ‘appalling’ Manchester United and coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Brilliant Ramsdale

19:53 , Michael Jones

Heading into tonight’s game, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale has the best minutes per goal conceded ratio of any goalkeeper in the Premier League this season (min of 2+ appearances), with the Gunners conceding on average every 360 minutes with the Englishman in goal.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

The Zaha effect

19:47 , Michael Jones

Crystal Palace have struggled to win games when Wilfried Zaha hasn’t been involved however their last such game ended in a 2-1 victory over Brighton back in February.

Arsenal’s home struggles

19:44 , Michael Jones

Mikel Arteta’s side have lost four of their 14 Premier League home fixtures in 2021 - they haven’t fared worse in a calendar year since six defeats in 1997.

But, Arsenal have won their last seven Premier League home matches played on a Monday, scoring 15 goals and conceding just two.

 (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Eagles on the road

19:41 , Michael Jones

Crystal Palace have lost just one of their last six games in the Premier League with one win and four draws. Nonetheless, they have won only one of their last nine away league fixtures, losing six and drawing just two.

50 up for Tierney

19:39 , Michael Jones

Kieran Tierney is set to make his 50th Premier League appearance for Arsenal this evening becoming the first Scottish player to reach 50 league games for the Gunners since Charlie Nicholas in October 1984.

 (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

19:36 , Michael Jones

Arsenal are unbeaten in four league games with three wins and one draw, keeping a clean sheet in three of them. It’s a stark contrast to their opening three league fixtures which they easily lost.

The Gunners have scored just five goals in their opening seven league games, their fewest at this stage of a season since 1986-87.

Arteta aims to create next generation of model Arsenal players to follow Vieira

19:33 , Michael Jones

Mikel Arteta is aiming to create the next generation of model Arsenal players to follow in the footsteps of Invincibles skipper Patrick Vieira.

Vieira takes his Crystal Palace side to the Emirates Stadium on Monday night looking to get one over the club where he won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

The period of success Arsenal had under Arsene Wenger – and with Vieira leading on the pitch – has yet to be repeated at the club.

Arteta aims to create next generation of model Arsenal players to follow Vieira

The Palace building blocks

19:29 , Michael Jones

Crystal Palace have won just one game so far this season, a magnificent 3-0 victory over Tottenham back in September. Wilfried Zaha and new signing Odsonne Edouard both found the back of the net in that game with Edouard bagging a brace.

Their only defeats this year have been against top sides Chelsea and Liverpool with the rest ending in draws.

Patrick Vieria has built the foundation for the Eagles having a good season but needs to start turning these draws into wins.

Head-to-head - Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

19:24 , Michael Jones

Arsenal have lost just one of the last eight meetings between the sides with three wins and four draws.

However, they have failed to win on each of the last three occasions they’ve hosted Palace, those games ending in two draws and a defeat for the Gunners.

Crystal Palace have won only four of their 42 league fixtures against Arsenal (13 draws, 25 defeats), all of which have come in the top flight.

Vieira on Arsenal return

19:20 , Michael Jones

Patrick Vieira says returning to Arsenal will be ‘emotional’ as he has fond memories of his playing days at the club but also that he has to put aside the emotion and focus on getting the job done for Crystal Palace. He said:

That is the club where I played my best football I would say, so obviously going back there will be emotional, but I will put that on the side because it will be important for us to perform well and to get points.

“It’s about controlling yourself as a manager and controlling the emotion.”

Arteta on Vieira

19:17 , Michael Jones

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira returns to Arsenal this evening where he spent almost 10 years of his playing career, three of which he captained the Gunners.

He faces another former Arsenal captain in Mikel Arteta who spoke about Vieira’s return saying:

He is an Arsenal legend and I hope he gets the reception he deserves for what he did for the club, not only as a player but also what he transmitted as a person,

"He was a captain of the club in the most successful era in the last many years and it is great to have him back. Recognising him the right manner, I think it’s really important and I’m sure that that will be the case."

No Zaha for Palace

19:13 , Michael Jones

Crystal Palace will travel to Arsenal without the services of star man Wilfried Zaha. He misses tonight because he has been feeling unwell since returning from international duty.

He hasn’t trained with the squad misses the match

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

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Team changes - Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

19:10 , Michael Jones

Both managers make just one change to the starting XI’s. Mikel Arteta replaces Albert Sambi Lokonga with Nicolas Pepe in a re-jig to Arsenal’s midfield.

Meanwhile, there is no Wilfried Zaka for Crystal Palace. He’s dropped from the squad entirely and Christian Benteke takes his place in the starting line-up.

Line-ups - Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

19:00 , Michael Jones

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Aubameyang

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

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

18:54 , Lawrence Ostlere

Arsenal are taking on Crystal Palace tonight in the Premier League as they seek to keep up their improving form under Mikel Arteta. The Gunners have three wins and a draw from their past four league games and a win here would propel them to ninth in the table, marking a strong recovery after losing their opening three matches in dismal style.

Palace are improving too though under new manager Patrick Vieira, and with only two losses from their opening seven games it seems Palace are a tougher opposition than they might have been in years gone by. The arrivals of midfielder Conor Gallagher and striker Odsonne Edouard this summer have added attacking firepower to Wilfried Zaha’s speed and skill, and a win here would see Palace leapfrog the Gunners into 13th place.

Vieira’s return to the Emirates also sees a match up of former Arsenal captains during the Arsene Wenger years. “What I really wanted was to come back to the Premier League to manage and I’m really lucky to be in a good football club,” Vieira said this week. “There is the foundation to express myself as a manager and I want to grow with the club.”