Arsenal faced an old face in Eddie Nketiah with his Crystal Palace side in the Premier League.
Mikel Merino and Ben White were absent from Arsenal’s matchday squad as Mikel Arteta cited fitness ‘issues’ to worry fans ahead of the Champions League semi-final with PSG.
Arsenal got off to the perfect start as Jakub Kiwior headed home Martin Odegaard’s free kick inside the opening three minutes of the match.
Crystal Palace equalised just before the half hour mark as Eberechi Eze’s volley went in off the post following a clever set-piece routine that caught the Gunners napping.
The lead was restored just before half time as Jurrien Timber burst into space to set up Leandro Trossard to score via a deflection.
However, it was yet another lead that could not be defending for the Gunners as a rare mistake from William Saliba allowed Jean-Philippe Mateta the chance to steal in with a magnificent finish to rescue a point.
Arsenal dropped more points in the Premier League to the frustration of Arteta, here are the winners and losers from Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace
Two winners from Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace
Jakub Kiwior
Kiwior was excellent against Ipswich and just continues to grow in confidence after returning to the side following the Gabriel Magalhaes injury.
Arsenal fans felt like many that the Polish defender may have been a weakness in the Gunners side but he continues to prove a lot of doubters wrong and his goal further enhances his confidence and reputation.
It was a magnificent header from around 14 yards out to power the ball past Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson and another moment for Kiwior to cherish in the red and white shirt.
Leandro Trossard
With news of a potential injury to Merino, the role of Trossard has become even more important to the Gunners over the coming weeks and he has shown he is up to the task.
The Belgian was superb in the false nine role against Ipswich and followed it up with another fine performance, capped off with a goal.
The strike may have been deflected but his first touch and spin showed exactly why he will cause PSG problems in Europe and why Arteta will rely on him to fill the void.
Three losers from Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace
Raheem Sterling
Given a rare start and a chance to shine but it was the same old story in an Arsenal shirt for Sterling as he struggled to make any sort of impact on the game.
Caught asleep for Palace’s equaliser, he was slow to get out to block Eze’s shot which eventually found the back of the net.
Had multiple opportunities to run at his full back but Tyrick Mitchell dealt with the England international with considerable ease.
David Raya
Arsenal fans will be desperately hoping that Raya has got his ‘off night’ out of the way before the clash with PSG as the Spaniard produced a rare display of indecision.
The Gunners goalkeeper gave away possession in a dangerous area in the first half with a sloppy pass and was fortunate Adam Wharton’s effort was blocked as he was stranded out of his goal.
In the second half, there were multiple occasions of Raya looking nervy with crosses and his positioning, Arteta will be hoping he is back to his usual secure self in the next game.
William Saliba
The French defender had barely put a foot wrong in the match, keeping the threat of Nketiah at bay with considerable ease and looking composed on the ball as usual.
However, that all changed with the introduction of Mateta, who seemed to ruffle the feathers of Saliba and perhaps that led to the mistake that ultimately cost the Gunners two points.
A real sloppy pass without looking allowed Mateta to steal in and lob Raya from 30 yards to steal a point for Crystal Palace and sum up Arsenal’s season domestically.
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