Milivojevic double halts Gunners' winning run

This Premier League encounter was rather balanced throughout the majority of the first period. Both sides would go close, but ultimately only one would score before the interval.

As the hosts, Palace started very brightly, immediately putting pressure on the possession play of Arsenal , in particular their back line.

However in spite of this pressure, the ‘Gunners’ looked composed on the ball, often feeding their offensive play through named captain Mesut Ozil, who was making his 150th Premier League appearance for the North London side.

Like any derby, this North versus South battle had its fair share of talking points. Palace were the first to have an attempt at goal. Rather a quick double effort at Leno’s net; but Zaha was unfortunate to hit the post, while Townsend dragged his effort wide of the target.

Arsenal soon hit back with an effort of their own. Mesut Ozil jinked into the penalty area and layed on a pass for Alex Lacazette, but the Frenchman curled his effort wide.

 

October 28, 2018

Jordan Ayew fell to the ground after 38 minutes claiming for a penalty, but his pleas were ignored by referee Martin Atkinson. However the hosts would indeed be awarded a penalty shortly after, on the stroke of half time.

A Palace corner was defended poorly by Arsenal; Mustafi made a desperate attempt to clear the ball, but only succeeded in taking the legs from under ‘Eagles’ midfielder Cheikou Kouyate.

In a strong show of self-confidence, Luka Milivojevic stepped up to take the spot kick.

The Serbian missed his last penalty at Goodison Park last weekend, and with the caveat of needing to score the hosts’ their first home goal of the season, he would need nerves of steel to put his side into the lead.

Sure enough, Milivojevic would calmly stroke the ball into the bottom corner of the net, and give Palace the lead heading into the break. Visitors Arsenal had been condemned to their first ever halftime deficit in the Premier League under Unai Emery.

 

October 28, 2018

The second half of this match started in stark contrast to the first. Visitors Arsenal came flying out of the traps in a bid to level the score as quickly as possible. 

Palace hero Milivojevic quickly turned villain of the piece; as he was caught on the ball for what seemed like the umpteenth time by Lucas Torreira, and was forced to bring the winger down just outside of his own area. 

Arsenal had a free kick to the right hand side of the Palace box. Up stepped makeshift left back Granit Xhaka, who slammed his effort into the far top corner of the net. Home keeper Hennessey got a glove on the effort, but could only help the progress of the wicked strike on its collision course with the back of the net.

 

October 28, 2018

As if invigorated by this goal, Arsenal immediately set about finding another. And so they did, in what proved to be a quick fire double for the visitors. 

There were numerous points of contention in the Arsenal second goal: A corner was  prodded in at the back post by Aubameyang, after a flick on from Lacazatte at the front post, but replays showed that the Frenchman may have made the assist with his hand. 

Also, the goal would have to be confirmed by goal-line technology, as Wayne Hennessey appeared to clear Aubameyang's shot off the line at the very last.  However this time, replays showed that the ball did indeed cross the line, albeit by less than 1cm. 

Nevertheless, the goal stood, and Arsenal looked on course to continue their winning run.

 

October 28, 2018

Palace appeared shellshocked. They had been well in the match in spite of the early pressure from Arsenal. 

Manager Roy Hodgson made changes to try to encourage his tiring side to find an equaliser in a match they had previosuly led. 

Sure enough, the substitutions proved to be a turning point in the match; young wnger Max Meyer's constant interchanging with Zaha on the opposite wing caused havoc in the Arsenal box. 

The German was unlucky to hit the upright with 20 minutes remaining, after a neat one two, and dash into the channel with teammate Wilfried Zaha. 

 

October 28, 2018

Arsenal responded with a number of changes of their own; Unai Emery replaced Mesut Ozil with the pacey Danny Welbeck in a bid to exploit the gaps left behind the advancing Palace back line. Albeit to the disgust of the World Cup winner, who furiously threw his gloves at the Arsenal bench.

Aaron Ramsey also came on to good effect for the 'Gunners' being a great threat in offensive areas.

The game opened up as both sides frantically searched for the next goal. Arsenal wanted to seal the result, while Palace were intent on picking up a deserved point from the hard-fought match. 

 

October 28, 2018

The hosts wishes were to be granted five minutes from time, as Arsenal goalscorer Granit Xhaka looked every bit of the makeshift left back that he was, by naively diving into a challenge on Wilfried Zaha. 

Once more, captain Milivojevic stepped up for the hosts to take another high pressure kick. This second spot kick was arguably even more important than the first, as the hosts were keen to avoid another defeat this season. 

The Serbian delivered for his team once again, as he smashed the ball into the bottom corner of the net, beyond the outstretched arm of Bernd Leno. 

It was not for the want of trying, but alas, the scores would remain level until the close of play.

 

October 28, 2018

Overall a 2-2 draw was a fair result. Arsenal will feel that it was two points dropped after coming from behind to lead, but it isnt all bad, as they remain unbeaten in 12 matches now in all competitions. 

On the other hand, Palace will be delighted that they managed to end their scoring duck at home, as they will look to turn Selhurst Park into a fortress this season, on the back of this hard fought point against a top quality side.