Frustrated Gunners unable to unlock door as winning run ends
ARSENAL saw their recent Premier League resurgence checked as they were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace.
Having won their last three league outings to end a barren spell, the Gunners were unable to find a way past their visitors — who came closest to winning the game through a James Tomkins header which hit the crossbar.
The 0-0 draw means Palace remain unbeaten in their previous five meetings with Arsenal and they stay just a point behind Mikel Arteta’s men.
Arsenal made two changes to the side that won 4-0 at West Brom in their last league outing — both enforced as Kieran Tierney and Pablo Mari were left out as precautions.
The hosts were largely frustrated by a Palace side playing on the counter-attack and on the few occasions they did get in behind, they largely wasted the opportunity.
Pierre-emerick Aubameyang shot straight at Vicente Guaita in one moment of promise, while Hector Bellerin managed to take the ball off the foot of team-mate Alexandre Lacazette when the in-form France forward looked poised to strike.
It would be Palace who came closest to breaking the deadlock before the interval — firstly as Eberechi Eze’s deep free-kick was headed against the frame of the goal by Tomkins.
Then Bernd Leno was called into action, making a fine diving stop to keep out Christian Benteke’s effort moments later.
Arsenal were still struggling to unlock a rigid Palace backline after the restart and were restricted to pot-shots on Guaita’s goal on the few occasions their attacks did not break down.
Arteta responded by introducing club-record signing Nicolas
Pepe in place of Ainsley Maitland-niles, with Bukayo Saka reverting to left-back as a result.
Palace were still a threat on the break and Wilfried Zaha burst forward only to see his cross towards Eze cleared away by a backtracking Granit Xhaka.
Benteke miscued his header from the resulting corner and James Mcarthur turned the ball into the grateful grasp of Leno.
Zaha wanted a penalty after going down under pressure from Rob Holding but referee Andre Marriner correctly waved away the protests.
Arsenal suddenly moved up a gear as the game entered the closing stages but never looked like getting the goal to settle the contest and remain 11th in the table as a result.
ARSENAL: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Maitland-niles (Pepe 65), Ceballos (Partey 69), Xhaka, Saka, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang, Lacazette (Nketiah 81).
Subs not used: Gabriel, Willian, Runarsson, Soares, Chambers, Willock.
CRYSTAL PALACE: Guaita, Ward, Tomkins, Kouyate, Mitchell, Townsend, Mcarthur, Milivojevic (Mccarthy 89), Eze, Benteke (Ayew 81), Zaha.
Subs not used: Butland, Van Aanholt, Dann, Clyne, Batshuayi, Cahill, Riedewald
Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the match: Eze
Match rating: