Sports
Arsenal Survive Crystal Palace Scare, Deny Vieria Glory
Arsenal pulled off a last-minute goal in the last seconds of injury time to deny club legend Patrick Vieira a win in his first clash with his old club as manager of Crystal Palace.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had set the crowd at the Emirates on fire with an eight minute goal in the match eight encounter that had seen two former Arsenal players, Viera and Mikel Arteta confronting one another as managers for the first time.
Credit for the initial goal will, however, go much to Pepe who had fired a cracker from within the eighteen yard box after winning the ball from Crystal Palace but his shot was parried off by the Crystal Palace goalkeeper for a waiting Aubameyang. The Arsenal player showed good reflex in tucking in the rebound for the opener.
Arsenal took the lead into the second half but allowed the visitors to return to reckoning after Partey gave away the ball which allowed Benteke to fire home the equalizer in the 50th minute.
Situation changed to near misery for the hosts in the 73rd minute when Odsonne Edouard slammed in to put the visitors in the lead.
The remaining minutes were full of much anxiety on either side with the Arsenal players desperate to avoid the home defeat in the hands of their London rivals.
Viera also eyeing his first win over the team where he spent nine years of his playing career was also full of much trepidation at the touchline.
Alexander Lacazette who came in as a replacement eventually scrambled in about the last kick of the match in the fourth minute of the extra time to restore parity for the hosts.
With the draw with Crystal Palace, Arsenal are now unbeaten in four league games.
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