Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Lacazette snatches 2-2 draw

Arsenal snatched an undeserved 2-2 draw against Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace on Monday night as goals from Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard were cancelled out by a last second Lacazette goal.

Mikel Arteta has had to wait a while to taste Premier League action since the previous outing away at Brighton, and with the international break sparing the Gunners of any injuries he was able to field a strong side.

His back five remained as it was, with the only change coming in midfield as Albert Sambi Lokonga made way for Nicolas Pepe in an attack-minded team. Up front it was exactly as it was, with the manager keeping the same XI that secured a 1-0 win away at Burnley earlier in the campaign.

It was a positive team that Arteta put and it transferred into an equally positive start. Pepe was heavily involved in the opening stages and it was his curling effort that Vicente Guaita superbly saved, but only into the path of Aubameyang who finished superbly from a very tight angle.

Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace Alexandre Lacazette snatches an undeserved 2-2 draw in the dying seconds for Arteta’s side.

The strong start from the home outfit continued as Emile Smith Rowe saw an effort comfortably saved, with Palace then growing into the game, having the majority of possession and carving open the clearest chances. The second half concluded with James McArthur getting away with murder.

After the break Thomas Partey came within a whisker of scoring his opening goal, only to then get sloppily caught out in possession that let Benteke in to equalise.

Arsenal could not build effectively in phase one and Lacazette came on to try and help Arsenal muster some control of proceedings. It made a difference, but the goal came at the other end. This time Edouard capitalised on Sambi being pick-pocketed.

Tierney smacked the crossbar late on as a limp Arsenal pushed for an equaliser, but they didn’t deserve one. Palace were well worthy of their three points. But, somehow, Lacazette snatched it. Undeservedly so.

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders Ratings

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 7/10 – Some big saves and some neat deliveries, Ramsdale continues to look as comfortable as he can be as the starting goalkeeper for Arsenal.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) – 7/10 – Aggressive out of possession and positive with it, some of his passing was off but it was an otherwise solid outing for Tomiyasu once again.

Ben White (CB) – 8/10 – If we can talk about Partey being a Rolls Royce midfielder, then White’s performance deserves similar accolades. Supremely calm in and out of possession he didn’t put a single foot wrong. Looked like a top defender.

Perhaps could have been tighter to Edouard.

Gabriel (CB) – 6/10 – Provided the steel next to White in defence but had issues when left to deal with two men centrally as Gallagher joined in the attack. Was left out to dry on occasion.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 5/10 – Out of possession, Tierney was very strong in his pressures. On the ball, however, his passing was lacking once more. Could have been slightly more positive down the left. Chose the simple option too often.