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‘It’s not so easy’ – Oliver Glasner delivers verdict on Crystal Palace’s 2-2 draw at Arsenal ahead of FA Cup semi-final
Oliver Glasner was delighted that his Crystal Palace side shook off going a goal down early to pick up a point in a 2-2 draw at Arsenal on Wednesday night.
The Eagles went behind after three minutes at the Emirates when Jakub Kiwior headed a Martin Odegaard free-kick past the motionless Dean Henderson.
Glasner’s side went close to equalising four minutes later when Daichi Kamada’s deflected effort whistled past David Raya’s post.
Declan Rice flashed an effort wide of Den Henderson’s goal in the 23rd minute as Mikel Arteta’s side looked to add a second.
Palace equalised just before the half-hour mark when Adam Wharton’s corner found Eberechi Eze on the edge of the box and the Greenwich-born attacker volleyed the ball into the ground, bouncing off Raya’s post and in.
Eddie Nketiah had a chance to add a second goal minutes later, but a last-ditch block from Kiwior stopped the former Arsenal attacker from scoring.
The Gunners went back ahead before half-time when Leandro Trossard collected the ball inside the area and squeezed a shot between the legs of Maxence Lacroix and Jefferson Lerma.
Justin Devenny had Palace’s first chance of the second half, looping a header from a Ismaila Sarr cross towards the crossbar, with Raya needing to top the effort over. Marc Guehi forced Raya into a near-post save from the resulting corner.
Henderson made a smart stop with 10 minutes of normal time remaining when he flung a hand at Bukayo Saka’s shot inside the box.
Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised for the Eagles in the 82nd minute when Daichi Kamada pressed William Saliba into passing the ball into the path of the French forward.
Mateta, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, looked straight at goal and lobbed Raya, who had come out of his goal in the build-up.
Palace ended a run of two heavy back-to-back away defeats to give themselves confidence heading into Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final clash against Aston Villa at Wembley.
“We had an excellent performance,” said Glasner.
“When you have conceded 10 goals in the last two away games, to go 1-0 down at Arsenal is a tricky situation.
“The players were unbelievable and we didn’t lose our heads, confidence or belief.
“We created so many chances, so I’m very proud of the players and how they performed today.
“I know what this group of players can do. It’s not so easy – we’re human beings. It’s not easy to be on our top levels. When we stick to our plan and everybody does their job, it’s not easy to play against us.
“We moved the ball quickly in possession – our pocket players were in good positions.
“This is what we showed today and this is what we will need at Wembley on Saturday – at least on the same level.”
PICTURES: ROB AVIS