Arsenal held back yet again as Crystal Palace salvage a point at the Emirates
Arsenal failed to hold on to another lead as they crumbled against Crystal Palace at the Emirates. The Gunners had the chance to close to gap to their North London neighbours Tottenham to 3 points but instead have left themselves a massive task ahead of final few games of the season.
Arsene Wenger didn't make any change from their start against West Ham last weekend with Alex Iwobi and Mohamed Elneny preferred over Theo Walcott and a fit-again Aaron Ramsey. In defence, Per Mertesacker was once again amongst those on the bench as Gabriel continued his partnership with Frenchman Laurent Koscielny.
Having drawn 3-3 with London rivals West Ham, Arsenal needed to get three points in this game to separate them from the fight for fourth but once again, it looks like Wenger's men will fight for their coveted spot on the table with Leicester City, Tottenham and Manchester City ahead of them in the table.
The game began brightly as Arsenal dominated more than 70% of the possession but even the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Iwobi and Danny Welbeck couldn't find a way past the Palace defence. Damien Delaney and Scott Dann were mightily impressive once again as they shut out every ball that tried to free Welbeck and Sanchez.
Ultimately, towards the end of the first half, Welbeck found Sanchez's perfect run into the box with a lob. The Chilean headed the ball softly above Wayne Hennessey to give Arsenal the lead. Pape Souaré failed to keep up with the former Barcelona forward as Arsenal went into half time leading.
Palace started the second half by bringing on Bakary Sako for Connor Wickham. Arsenal came out unchanged and started the second half much like they did the first: most of the possession and little drive to penetrate the Palace defence.
The Emirates then greeted former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor to a round of boos but the Togo international would ultimately silence the stadium with his run from deep within his half all the way to the edge of the Arsenal box where he released an onrushing Yannick Bolasie who went across the ball and shot past Petr Cech in the near post.
Palace were suddenly a whole different machine pressing and hitting Arsenal hard on the counter forcing Arsene Wenger to make a few attacking substitutions. On came Aaron Ramsey, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott but even they couldn't save Arsenal from yet again failing to hold on to a lead.
This result leaves Arsenal in fourth as they prepare to take on West Brom in a midweek clash. Alan Pardew, meanwhile, will prepare his team as they travel to Old Trafford to take on Louis van Gaal's Manchester United.