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Arsenal: 4 talking points from 2-2 Crystal Palace draw
By Adam Schultz
Well, the Premier League was back for Arsenal and it massively underwhelmed. After a great start in which captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave the Gunners the lead with just seven minutes played, from then on, Arsenal was by far the second-best side on the pitch.
Crystal Palace looked to be on course for a deserved 2-1 win after goals from Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard. Both came from midfielders being dispossessed, with Thomas Partey the first to be sloppy on the ball before the Belgian striker fired home.
Pushing for a winner, it was Sambi Lokonga’s turn to get caught in possession as the Eagles broke with pace before Edouard smashed an effort down the throat of Aaron Ramsdale and in off the crossbar.
Hoping to spark a late comeback Mikel Arteta threw on Alexandre Lacazette to try and give Arsenal some presence in the Palace half, and the Frenchman arguably left as the Gunners’ man of the match.
https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1450215545807249413
4 talking points as Alexandre Lacazette salvages Arsenal a 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League
Lacazette snatched an equalizer with the last kick of the game after a goalmouth as it ended 2-2 at the Emirates.
But make no mistake about it, Arsenal did not deserve anything from this match. They were played off the park at times as Palace was comfortable in possession and forced a timid Arsenal into several mistakes. Two of which resulted in goals.
A crestfallen Patrick Vieira will rightly feel gutted. His side deserved to win.
As with any match, there are plenty of talking points. Here they are from Arsenal’s draw with Crystal Palace.
1. Alexandre Lacazette Must Start From Now On
The Frenchman came on in the 67th minute as Arsenal looked as toothless as they ever have been, replacing Martin Odegaard who simply could not get going at all. The Norwegian was a ghost.
As soon as Lacazette stepped onto the pitch, the Gunners transformed into a team that looked like getting the winner. Until Edouard netted Palace in front, that is.
Lacazette’s link-up play with Aubameyang, Emile Smith Rowe, and Pepe was a driving force in how Arsenal managed to snatch a point. He provided presence in the opposition half and gave Arsenal a tool to build attacks through.
Given how he performed and what he brought to this Arsenal side, the 30-year-old has to be given a starting birth from now on. This is the second match in a row where he’s had a positive impact off the bench.
He brought so much more to the team in his half an hour cameo than half the side did for the entire 90 minutes.
Continued…