MISSEDCHANCE FOURGUNNERS
CHRISTIAN BENTEKE scored his first goal in a year as the Gunners blew a golden chance to go above rivals Spurs in the race for a top-four finish.
For 45 minutes, Arsenal were so bad that the striker could have ended his barren run with a double for Palace who were vibrant, pacy and clinical on the break.
Mesut Ozil equalised with a clever finish shortly after half-time but Wilfried Zaha capitalised on a mistake by Shkodran Mustafi to restore the lead.
Scot James McArthur’s header made it 3-1 before red-hot Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck but it wasn’t enough to prevent Arsenal’s first home defeat in the Premier League since last August.
Boss Unai Emery made seven changes from Thursday’s Europa League win over Napoli but insists he didn’t disrespect Palace.
He said: “We changed because we need to use more players as we have a lot of matches and injuries.
“We lost a big opportunity today, but finishing in the top four is still in our hands.”
Just 24 hours after announcing his intention to forsake south London for broader horizons, Zaha put in a top performance.
Luka Milivojevic’s free-kick picked out the unmarked Benteke to head beyond goalie Bernd Leno.
Palace were lucky when ref Jon Moss turned a blind eye to Aaron Wan-Bissaka parrying Sead Kolasinac’s cross with a raised hand.
Leno made a sprawling double save to deny Cheikhou Kouyate before Benteke shovelled a glorious chance from Zaha’s cut-back.
Within 90 seconds of the restart – and irate Emery’s double substitution – Arsenal were level.
Alexandre Lacazette’s delicious reverse pass picked out Ozil’s unchecked run and he beat Vicente Guaita at his near post.
The Gunners located the self-destruct button again. Benteke’s flick should have been bread and butter for Mustafi, but he dithered criminally and Zaha picked his pocket expertly.
And they went to sleep at another Milivojevic setpiece, McArthur heading home Scott Dann’s flick.
Aubameyang’s crisp finish after a mazy run, gave Arsenal hope with 12 minutes left but sub Alex Iwobi missed the chance to salvage a point.
Now Chelsea can go above them by taking a point or more against Burnley tonight.
Palace confirmed their league place with the win and boss Roy Hodgson insisted star man Zaha is going nowhere.
He said: “That wasn’t the display of a guy looking to get away from his club.
“I’m looking forward to working with him more and seeing him in a Palace shirt for many years to come.”