Arsenal stutter again after Palace fightback

Arsenal surrendered a two-goal lead and captain Granit Xhaka was booed off the pitch as Unai Emery’s side were held by Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium.

The hosts, beaten 1-0 by Sheffield United in their last Premier League outing on Monday, raced into a 2-0 lead inside nine minutes as centre-back pairing Sokratis Papastathopoulos and David Luiz capitalised on slack defending from two Nicolas Pepe corners in as many minutes.

Wayne Hennessey produced a good save low to his right from Alexandre Lacazette as Arsenal threatened to run riot, but Palace were awarded a 32nd-minute penalty following a lengthy video assistant referee review after Wilfried Zaha had initially been booked for simulation.

On-field referee Martin Atkinson’s decision was overturned, with Calum Chambers adjudged to have fouled Zaha, allowing Luka Milivojevic to convert confidently from the spot.

Arsenal failed to regain control and the equaliser arrived shortly after the interval – Jordan Ayew heading in at the back post from James McArthur’s cross.

The Gunners thought they had scored a dramatic late winner as Sokratis drilled in from a corner, but after another long delay VAR disallowed it for a foul by Chambers in the build-up.

There were uncomfortable scenes for boss Emery as he withdrew Xhaka after an hour – the Swiss midfielder responding to jeers from the home support by cupping his hand to his ear before removing his shirt and storming down the tunnel.

Arsenal remain fifth in the table, one point above sixth-placed Crystal Palace and four points adrift of Chelsea in fourth.

-Report by BBC Sport