Crystal Palace 2 Arsenal 3: Iwobi Benched As Wenger Equals Record

Alexis Sanchez struck twice for Arsenal in a breathless 3-2 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in an English Premier League encounter on Thursday night.

Super Eagles winger Alex Iwobi was on the bench for the Gunners in the encounter while Chuba Akpom and Freddie Ladapo were not included in the match day squad for their respective teams.

Shkodran Mustafi broke the deadlock after 25 minutes, Mesut Ozil's free-kick was poorly cleared, and Alexandre Lacazette's cross-cum-shot forced Palace goalkeeper, Julian Speroni to palm the ball only as far as the defender who was lurking at the back post to slot home.

Speroni denied Ozil with a point-blank save five minutes later before Wilfried Zaha curled wide for the Eagles in a first 45 which was fraught with end-to-end action.

The home side were back on level terms four minutes after the restart, Zaha skipping inside of Calum Chambers to set up Andros Townsend who fired low into the corner.

But Alexis Sanchez struck two minutes past the hour mark to restore Arsenal's lead, Lacazette laying off in the box for the Chilean who squeezed a low effort inside of the near the post.

Sanchez's double four minutes later knocked the stuffing out of the plucky Eagles and looked to have ended the game as a contest, Jack Wilshere lofting a delightful through ball for the want away attacker to latch onto and slot home.

James Tomkins late header set up a nervy ending, the defender rising highest to power in a Townsend's cross but the visitors held on for the victory as Arsene Wenger's side recorded their third win on the road this season in the English topflight.

Tonight's clash against the Eagles was Arsene Wenger’s 810th Premier League match in charge of Arsenal, drawing him level with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Emmanuel Chinaza

Photo Credit : arsenal.com