Arsenal grab late equaliser at Emirates
Arsenal fans were nearly haunted by the return of club hero Patrick Vieira.
Vieira was back this time as Crystal Palace manager and his team was just about to beat the Gunners at Emirates Stadium.
But Arsenal substitute Alexandre Lacazette made sure that wouldn’t happen. He scored a dramatic late equaliser and the match finished 2-2 in the English Premier League yesterday. The visitors were leading deep into injury time before Lacazette managed to turn home a rebound in the fifth minute of added time before celebrating with Arsenal fans.
Vieira’s return to the club where he brought glory to Arsenal as captain ended in misery, with the Frenchman crouching down and pounding the turf.
Vieira was appointed manager of Crystal Palace in July and he has tried to bring attacking football to the club. But, so far, Palace have won only once out of eight matches despite impressing with his expansive approach and the team’s pressing.
“It’s not good enough to play well,” Vieira said. “We want to win football matches. I want to win football matches.”
Palace came from behind to score twice in the second half after Arsenal took the lead through captain PierreEmerick Aubameyang in the eighth minute.
Vieira wouldn’t have been impressed by the Arsenal defensive midfielders playing in his former position, Thomas Partey and substitute Albert Sambi Lokonga, whose mistakes led to both Palace goals.
LOST POSSESSION CHEAPLY
Partey first lost possession cheaply in the 50th minute when striker Jordan Ayew stripped him of the ball. Palace striker Christian Benteke collected and cut inside before smashing past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Then it was Lokonga’s turn to lose the ball, which eventually made its way to Odsonne Edouard. The Palace forward calmly stroked the ball home.
“It was a strange game,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “We dominated in the beginning. We deserved the goal and after that we lacked composure, belief and maturity. We gave a lot of balls away.”
The result meant Arsenal are in 12th place in the table, and Palace 14th.
Vieira’s spirit and desire to win enamoured him with Arsenal fans during his spell at the club. The home supporters serenaded him in appreciation before and after the match.