Ozil, Aubameyang On Target As Brave Arsenal Edged By Palace

21st April 2019 - by Arsenal FC

Luka Milivojevic whipped in a dangerous free-kick and Christian Benteke was all alone in the area to plant a header past Bernd Leno

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace is challenged by Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on April 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom.PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

SUMMARY

Arsenal spurned the chance to move into third place after costly mistakes led to a rare home defeat to Crystal Palace
Alexandre Lacazette and Dinos Mavropanos both tried speculative efforts, but Vicente Guaita was barely troubled in the first 45 minutes
But the hosts were unable to capitalise, and were behind again soon afterwards. A lapse of concentration from Shkodran Mustafi allowed Wilfried Zaha to dart around him into the area and stroke home

LONDON, United Kingdom- Arsenal spurned the chance to move into third place after costly mistakes led to a rare home defeat to Crystal Palace.

In truth Arsenal were chasing the game all afternoon. Palace took the lead in the opening 20 minutes, and it was a goal they deserved for their bright start.

Luka Milivojevic whipped in a dangerous free-kick and Christian Benteke was all alone in the area to plant a header past Bernd Leno.

Arsenal toiled to find a breakthrough after that, with the Eagles’ defence looking very solid, and frustrating their attacking efforts.

Alexandre Lacazette and Dinos Mavropanos both tried speculative efforts, but Vicente Guaita was barely troubled in the first 45 minutes.

Once again Unai Emery opted to make changes at half-time in an attempt to turn Arsenal fortunes around.

Alex Iwobi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles were both introduced and Arsenal energy levels were drastically improved in the second half.

Soon afterwards Arsenal were level thanks to a superb trademark bounced finish at the near post from Mesut Ozil.

But the hosts were unable to capitalise, and were behind again soon afterwards. A lapse of concentration from Shkodran Mustafi allowed Wilfried Zaha to dart around him into the area and stroke home.

After a bright start to the half Arsenal looked ragged once again, and fell further behind. The Gunners failed to clear a corner from Milivojevic, leaving James McArthur with the simple task of heading home from close range.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took matters into his own hands to reduce the arrears, finding the bottom corner after a driving run forward, when the ball deflected back to him on the edge of the area.

There were still 15 minutes to find an equaliser, and should have scored it late on, only for Iwobi to shoot tamely at Guaita from a good position. It was a suitably frustrating end to the afternoon.