Crystal Palace 2-2 Arsenal: Milivojevic scores twice in dramatic draw

Luka Milivojevic scores from the penalty spot for Crystal Palace against ArsenalImage source, Getty Images
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Luka Milivojevic has scored 11 of his past 13 penalties for Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic scored twice from the penalty spot to earn his side a dramatic draw and end Arsenal's 11-game winning run.

The Serb smashed in a late equaliser after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's controversial goal had put the visitors ahead after the break.

Milivojevic scored the opener in the first half after Shkodran Mustafi brought down Cheikhou Kouyate.

Granit Xhaka's sublime free-kick had drawn Arsenal level at 1-1.

Wilfried Zaha was brought down by Xhaka in the box with seven minutes to go and Milivojevic drilled his spot-kick into Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno's right corner, having also beaten him on that side in the first half.

Earlier in the second half, the ball appeared to brush Alexandre Lacazette's hand before it fell at the back post to Aubameyang, who poked home off the inside of the post - with the ball going over the line by just 9mm.

Before his error in bringing down Zaha to give away the late penalty, Xhaka's stunning curler had cancelled out Milivojevic's opener - which was Palace's first goal at home this season.

Zaha also hit the outside of the post before the break, while Andros Townsend dragged a shot wide.

Palace substitute Max Meyer struck over the bar from close range later in the second half and Alex Iwobi's deflected shot flew wide.

Arsenal remain fourth in the Premier League table, a point behind Manchester City, while Palace move up to 14th and three points above the relegation zone.

Nerves of steel from Milivojevic

Palace had to wait three months for their first goal at Selhurst Park this season - before Milivojevic provided two against one of the most in-form teams in the league.

Last week, Jordan Pickford had denied him from the spot in their 2-0 defeat by Everton, but this time Milivojevic held his nerve to ensure Palace did not finish empty-handed against Arsenal.

The skipper has now scored 11 of his past 13 penalties for Palace and it was the first time he had netted since scoring against Bournemouth in April.

His first goal for Crystal Palace was also a penalty against Arsenal, in their 3-0 home win in April 2017.

Winning run comes to an end

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Alexandre Lacazette had only one shot - which was off target - against Crystal Palace

Arsenal missed an opportunity to move into third place as Manchester City and Tottenham do not face each other until Monday (20:00 GMT kick-off).

The result also meant their impressive winning streak came to an end.

Gunners manager Unai Emery's request for a quicker start to the game was not met - and it was Palace who deservedly led at half-time.

But Arsenal's intensity increased in familiar fashion after the break and they thought they had completed the comeback and won all three points when Aubameyang's effort just crossed the line.

Lacazette's main involvement in the game was the build-up to that goal. His performance was disappointing and his only shot was a scuffed effort from the edge of the box.

But strike partner Aubameyang continued to provide a threat - he has now been directly involved in 22 goals in his 23 Premier League appearances for Arsenal.

Palace denied the Gunners victory but Emery's side are still just four points off the top and unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions.

Slow out of the blocks - the best of the stats

  • Crystal Palace's opening goal from Milivojevic ended a run of 417 minutes without scoring a league goal at home.

  • 75% of Arsenal's Premier League goals this season have come in the second half (18 of 24).

  • Since the start of last season, Crystal Palace have won more penalties (13) and scored more penalties (10) in the Premier League than any other side.

  • Since the start of 2016-17, Arsenal have conceded more penalties (18) and goals from penalties (17) in the league than any other team.

  • Crystal Palace midfielder Milivojevic has taken the most (11) and scored the most (nine) penalties in the Premier League since the start of 2017-18.

  • Since the start of 2014-15, only Jamie Vardy (13) has won more penalties in the Premier League than Crystal Palace's Zaha (11 - level with Raheem Sterling).

  • Arsenal have not been leading a game at half-time in the league this season.

  • All five of Xhaka's Premier League goals for the Gunners have come from outside the box.

'It was tough to concede' - view from the bosses

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson to BBC Sport: "I'm not even happy to end up with one point especially when you see how clear the handball was. It was tough to concede an equaliser after working so hard for the 1-0 lead.

"I thought the attitude of the players and the way we got in control of the game again after going behind, it was a very deserved equaliser. I'm very happy with the performance; I'm just a bit sad it didn't give us the three points."

Arsenal manager Unai Emery on Sky Sports: "I am disappointed with the result but our work is good. We drew, it's not bad, it's better to win but looking at the game in 90 minutes it is a deserved result.

"Two penalties against us in the box is a difficult action for the defence. Xhaka is playing left-back, he is better in the middle. I will say to him nothing (about giving away the penalty)."

Man of the match - Luka Milivojevic

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Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic scored from two of their three shots on target

What's next?

Arsenal next play in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, taking on Blackpool at Emirates Stadium (19:45 GMT), while Palace travel to Middlesbrough on the same evening (20:00).

Palace return to Premier League action when go to Chelsea on Sunday (16:00). The Gunners host league leaders Liverpool on Saturday (17:30).

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