Patrick Vieira said Arsenal’s late equalizer was “really tough” to take as his Crystal Palace side were held to a 2-2 draw in a thriller at Emirates Stadium.
Alexandre Lacazette scored into injury time to deny club legend Vieira a winning return, pouncing after Palace Gabriel Martinelli’s effort was saved from a corner.
The Gunners started brightly and led deservedly through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after Vicente Guaita’s diving save to deny Nicolas Pepe.
But Palace grew into the game and Christian Benteke continued his good record in games against the Gunners with the equalizer after Thomas Partey was caught in possession.
Palace again stole the ball off Arsenal to go ahead, as this time Conor Gallagher dispossessed Albert Sambi Lokonga in his own half, and the visitors broke quickly, with Odsonne Edouard hammering in a shot via the underside of the bar.
It looked as if the Gunners were going to suffer their first loss in six games before substitute Lacazette steered home a loose ball from close range.
“It was really tough,” Vieira told BBC Sport. “I was really disappointed to concede at the end because the players worked really hard and they deserved those three points. I feel sorry for them today.
“I liked the personality and character we showed. In the second half, we had desire to compete and won the ball quite high.
“This is the part of the game we wanted to improve, being aggressive. lt’s part of the DNA of Crystal Palace.”
Arsenal move up to 12th with a sixth game unbeaten, while Palace remain 14th after a third draw in a row.
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