Lacazette snatches late draw for Gunners on Vieira's Return to Emirates Stadium

Patrick Vieira came close to making a dream comeback to Arsenal, but Alexandre Lacazette's 96th-minute equalizer earned the Gunners a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace on Monday.

 The hosts got off to a fantastic start with to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's seventh-minute strike. Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard scored in the second half to give the Eagles a merited lead, ending a five-game unbeaten run that had raised the mood around the Emirates. Vieira's troops were unable to hold out, as Lacazette raced home from a corner with seconds to spare.


Arsenal moved up to 12th position with a share of the spoils, but their performance offered little to suggest they will cause problems for the Champions League contenders towards the conclusion of the season. Arsenal's early-season predicament had been alleviated by a run of 10 points from a possible 12 after their worst start in 67 years.


Early on, Aubameyang was in the correct spot to convert the rebound after Vicente Guaita parried Nicolas Pepe's attempt. Despite the absence of Wilfried Zaha due to sickness, Palace dominated the first half to maintain their strong start under Vieira.


The Frenchman, a three-time Premier League winner as Arsenal captain, has been passed over for coaching positions by his former club.


Vieira, on the other hand, has only lost two of his first eight league games in charge of Palace, both on the road against Chelsea and Liverpool.

Read: Steve Bruce Leaves Newcastle on Mutual Consent


Only a brilliant save from Aaron Ramsdale in first-half stoppage time denied Connor Gallagher an equaliser for Palace right before half-time.


After the break, the visitors were rewarded, yet Arsenal were the architects of their own demise for both goals.


Jordan Ayew played in Beneteke, who finished calmly into the bottom corner, after Thomas Partey was dispossessed of possession within his own half. Albert Sambi Lokonga was at blame for Palace's second goal, as he gave the ball away and Edouard hammered the ball high past Ramsdale for his third goal since joining in the summer.


Kieran Tierney, a former Celtic teammate of Edouard's, came within inches of equalizing when his shot hit the underside of the bar.


But there was still time for late drama as Lacazette slammed home another rebound after Guaita had saved Benjamin White's deflected effort deep into stoppage time.