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Arsenal was hoping on continuing the 3 games winning run and stretch it to 4 games but it wasn't to be, especially with the resilient Crystal Palace.
Kieran Tierney's absence from the game was a huge loss for Arsenal because they missed his drive, crosses, threat and his leadership skills too.
Both teams did more than enough to win this game but they settled for point sharing and a clean sheet. Both teams showed flashes of their brilliance. Arsenal lacked the quality to get a win while Palace missed so many chances to put Arsenal to the sword.
Auba had a wonderful chance in the 20th minute with a dipping shot which the goalkeeper could only push away and he got another chance just a minute after when he found space only for the goalkeeper to easily gather his shot.
Xhaka produced on the night with timely block and clearance amid decisive passes. He came to his side's rescue when he brilliantly saved from the feet of Zaha in the box. It was timely, decisive and brave.
Bellerin tried to produce what has been missed from Tierney on the night when he found Auba at the far post but Auba couldn't get his head more on the ball. Shortly after, Palace had a lifeline to get ahead and reduce the pressure but Benteke missed a sitter in the box when he blazed it over, much to his own shock.
Crystal Palace showed their strength on the break and in 29 minutes, Arsenal had 5 attempts compared to Palace's 2.
In the 30th minute, Arsenal produced another good attacking run but nothing came from it as they could only get a corner from it. The resulting corner was nodded by David Luiz, which didn't really trouble the goalkeeper. David Luiz was a bit silent on the night as we didn't see more of his long balls and threats.
Lacazette could have or maybe couldn't have scored on the 34th minute, depending on how he took his chance when a ball heading towards his direction was hijacked by Bellerin who agonizingly put his effort wide.
Eze and Zaha continued to show their pace, dribbles and threats to the Arsenal's defence line which is how Zaha won a freekick in the 38th minute on the edge of the box which Eze took. Exe lifted the ball to find Tomkins who headed the ball but was saved by the crossbar but the rebound found Mc Arthur but his effort was blocked.
Benteke had another chance in the 42nd minute as Palace grew into the game but his header was saved by Leno and the rebound was gathered easily as well.
The second half restarted and Arsenal came with a renewed energy. They had an early chance when an inviting ball came for Lacazette but he couldn't get his head to it. The ball graciously fell to Bellerin but he blasted it wide. In 20 encounters with Crystal Palace, Arsenal has never failed to score but it is looking like they might not score on the night.
Niles danced his way through and skipped a number of challenges but his shot was easily gathered by the goalkeeper. Arsenal actually want to move up the table and they need 3 goals or more to leap over West Ham into the top half but it wasn't meant to be. They are still stuck in the bottom half; 11th.
Benteke released Zaha with a beautiful cross but the ever-impressive Xhaka blocked it away for a corner and the resulting corner fell to Benteke before dropping on Mc Arthur's knee. He couldn't control it and it was saved. Benteke didn't have much luck as usual on the night. He used to be so good with his head but not for this game.
Holding also had his heading opportunity go wide from a corner. Something seems to be happening in the air on the night as both teams were missing glaring heading chances.
Ayew was introduced with the hope he can snatch a win for Palace because he scored home and away against Arsenal last season and he replaced the ineffective Benteke but even Ayew couldn't stop this goalless game.
The game was an end to end action with chances flying around but Arsenal controlled the game and dominated even with possession.
They both had late attempts to at least win the match but nothing came out of it. They settled for 0-0.
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