Arsenal’s recent run of fine form appears to be slowly coming to a halt as they were held to a second successive draw at the Emirates against a Patrick Vieira-led Crystal Palace
Arsenal was held to a late 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace at the Emirates although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ensured they started the tie in the best possible fashion, only to fall apart in the second half.
Goals from Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard were enough to ensure Patrick Vieira took points off of his former side upon his return.
For Mikel Arteta, it marked yet another unimpressive home display – despite Alexandre Lacazette’s late leveler.
Two men (Arteta and Viera) that have both donned the Arsenal shirt and captain’s armband to varying degrees of success, Arteta was nothing but complimentary of his counterpart in the opposite dug-out before kick-off.
Tonight’s clash marked Vieira’s third return to the club where he became one of the best midfielders on the continent – his first as a manager.
Once Mike Dean had blown the first whistle, both bosses prowled their technical areas – Arteta in particular seemingly marshaling his players every move.
It was Vieira who should have won the battle, however – inspiring his side to a hard-fought point against a side that undoubtedly still means too much to him.
The Arsenal faithful may have thought that any question marks over Aaron Ramsdale – and there were plenty upon his arrival, can now be put to bed from an Arsenal faithful witnessing a goalkeeper arguably in the best form of his career.
Ramsdale’s raw ability has been enough of a positive for the Emirates faithful, but the character shown by the England international between the sticks is something the Gunners have been without in recent years.
For all of Bernd Leno’s shot-stopping prowess, Ramsdale has made more of an impression in five league games than the German international has in three seasons.
Ramsdale’s stunning distribution was on display yet again – however, though he made a couple of impressive stops, he will not need reminding of how he should have prevented Palace’s second.
The Arsenal keeper appeared to try and anticipate where Edouard’s strike was going, only to get it wrong and end up picking the ball out of the net.