Crystal Palace 2-3 Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez bags four-minute brace to secure victory for the Gunners in pulsating encounter at Selhurst Park as Arsene Wenger enjoys his record-equalling match

 

  • Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger equalled Sir Alex Ferguson's record with his 810th Premier League match 
  • Shkodran Mustafi gave Arsenal the lead when he reacted well to side-foot home a save from Julian Speroni
  • Speroni showed great reflexes when he denied Arsenal a second goal with a smart save from Mesut Ozil
  • Andros Townsend fired home a leveller after Wilfried Zaha cut back for the winger to score on 48 minutes 
  • Alexis Sanchez smashed Arsenal back in front with a rasping shot which caught Speroni out at his near post
  • Sanchez then bagged his second goal after latching on to Jack Wilshere's through ball and tucking home 
  • James Tomkins ensured a nervy finish when he headed home to halve the deficit with a minute remaining 
  • AS IT HAPPENED: Sportsmail's MATT SMITH provided live updates on Thursday's action at Selhurst Park 

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Arsenal ensured it was a happy 810th match in charge for Arsene Wenger as they picked up just their second away win of the season with a 3-2 victory at Selhurst Park on Thursday evening.

The Gunners went ahead through Shkodran Mustafi but missed a host of chances before Crystal Palace drew level through Andros Townsend. 


Arsenal weathered the storm and hit back through two quick goals by Alexis Sanchez, the second from a delightful pass by Jack Wilshere as they traveled back to north London with all three points. 

More to follow 

Alexis Sanchez celebrates after his second goal in four minutes saw Arsenal turn the match on it's head and go 3-1 up

Andros Townsend is embraced by Wilfried Zaha (left) and Jeffrey Schlupp (right) after he crashed home the equalising goal

Andros Townsend is embraced by Wilfried Zaha (left) and Jeffrey Schlupp (right) after he crashed home the equalising goal

Shkodran Mustafi punches the air in celebration after his smart finish from a tight angle gave Arsenal the lead at Selhurst Park

Shkodran Mustafi punches the air in celebration after his smart finish from a tight angle gave Arsenal the lead at Selhurst Park

MATCH STATS, PLAYER RATINGS AND MATCH ZONE 

CRYSTAL PALACE: Speroni, Kelly (Fosu-Mensah 80), Tomkins, Dann, Schlupp, Milivojevic, Cabaye (McArthur 53), Loftus-Cheek (Sako 70), Townsend, Zaha, Benteke

Goals: Townsend 48, Tomkins 89

Booked: Zaha

ARSENAL: Cech, Chambers, Mustafi, Koscielny, Bellerin, Xhaka (Maitland-Niles 87), Wilshere, Kolasinac, Ozil, Alexis, Lacazette (Coquelin 75) 

Goals: Mustafi 24, Sanchez 62, 66

 

Shkodran Mustafi gave Arsenal the lead from a tight angle after 24 minutes. For more statistics visit Sportsmail's MATCH ZONE

Shkodran Mustafi gave Arsenal the lead from a tight angle after 24 minutes. For more statistics visit Sportsmail's MATCH ZONE

 

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was taking charge of his 810th Premier League game - tying a record held by Sir Alex Ferguson

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was taking charge of his 810th Premier League game - tying a record held by Sir Alex Ferguson

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette attempts to control the ball under pressure from Crystal Palace defender Schlupp

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette attempts to control the ball under pressure from Crystal Palace defender Schlupp

Mustafi reacted well to side-foot home Arsenal's opener from a tight angle after Julian Speroni saved from Lacazette

Mustafi reacted well to side-foot home Arsenal's opener from a tight angle after Julian Speroni saved from Lacazette

The Crystal Palace goalkeeper watches as Mustafi's effort rolls across the line to put Arsenal in front at Selhurst Park

The Crystal Palace goalkeeper watches as Mustafi's effort rolls across the line to put Arsenal in front at Selhurst Park

The defender was congratulated by his Arsenal team-mates after firing the away side 1-0 in front in the 24th minute

The defender was congratulated by his Arsenal team-mates after firing the away side 1-0 in front in the 24th minute

Zaha attempts to escape the attentions of Arsenal defenders Calum Chambers (left) and Hector Bellerin (right)

Zaha attempts to escape the attentions of Arsenal defenders Calum Chambers (left) and Hector Bellerin (right)

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, who missed a great chance to make it 2-0 to the away side, prepares to head the ball

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, who missed a great chance to make it 2-0 to the away side, prepares to head the ball

Christian Benteke attempts to chest the ball under pressure from Chambers during the first half on Thursday evening

Christian Benteke attempts to chest the ball under pressure from Chambers during the first half on Thursday evening

Townsend showed great technique as he executed a controlled finish from the edge of the area after Zaha's precise cutback

Townsend showed great technique as he executed a controlled finish from the edge of the area after Zaha's precise cutback

Townsend (right) runs off in celebration as his shot crashes into the bottom corner to draw the home side level against Arsenal

Townsend (right) runs off in celebration as his shot crashes into the bottom corner to draw the home side level against Arsenal

The winger is greeted by Schlupp as he toasts scoring his first goal of the season for Palace with a low finish into the corner

The winger is greeted by Schlupp as he toasts scoring his first goal of the season for Palace with a low finish into the corner

Arsenal players are left dejected after Townsend's equalised for Palace three minutes into the second half at Selhurst Park

Arsenal players are left dejected after Townsend's equalised for Palace three minutes into the second half at Selhurst Park

Jack Wilshere rises highest to win a header over James McArthur during a midfield battle in Thursday's Premier League clash

Jack Wilshere rises highest to win a header over James McArthur during a midfield battle in Thursday's Premier League clash

Sanchez celebrates with Laurent Koscielny after he smashed his shot home to put Arsenal back in front on 62 minutes

Sanchez celebrates with Laurent Koscielny after he smashed his shot home to put Arsenal back in front on 62 minutes

Sanchez showed great composure to collect Wilshere's pass and tuck home past the onrushing Palace keeper Speroni

Sanchez showed great composure to collect Wilshere's pass and tuck home past the onrushing Palace keeper Speroni

The Chilean added Arsenal's third goal just four minutes later after finishing off a wonderful through ball from Wilshere

The Chilean added Arsenal's third goal just four minutes later after finishing off a wonderful through ball from Wilshere

Lacazette was frustrated after he was substituted off during the second half of the Premier League clash at Selhurst Park

Lacazette was frustrated after he was substituted off during the second half of the Premier League clash at Selhurst Park

Zaha shows his frustration after he skewed a header wide just six yards out from goal with Palace chasing the game

Zaha shows his frustration after he skewed a header wide just six yards out from goal with Palace chasing the game

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