Crystal Palace vs Arsenal: Pepe, Martinelli Score Late to Hand Gunners Crucial Win
- Crystal Palace vs Arsenal saw the Gunners leave it late to win 3-1 at Selhurst Park
- Nicolas Pepe scored twice to add to substitute Martinelli's goal to inspire Arsenal to victory
- Christian Benteke scored Palace's euqlaiser but were unable to hold on until the end
- The result saw Mikel Arteta's men climb to ninth with 56 points, with just a game left to end the season
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Arsenal have revived their slim European football hopes after securing a vital 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The Gunners were looking to take advantage of Tottenham Hotspur's defeat to Aston Villa to revive their hopes of making an appearance in Europe next season.
The visitors had a bright start during the Wednesday, May 19, clash, with an early tester happening inside two minutes of gameplay when Callum Chambers whipped into the box before Guaita leaped off the line to push clear.
Palace had the best chance of the game at the half-hour mark, but Christian Benteke fluffed the chance when he headed over from close range from Townsend's free-kick.
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The visitors went on to punish their hosts five minutes later, taking the lead through Nicolas Pepe, sidefooting into the back of the net from Kieran Tierney's volley.
However, Arsenal were unable to safeguard the lead as Benteke made amends to his earlier miss to equalise in the 62nd minute.
Both sides had glorious chances to put the game to bed in the closing stages of the encounter, but it was Arsenal who made the best of their opportunities.
Substitute Gabriel Martinelli inspired the comeback, with the youngster taking one touch before poking home from close range.
Pepe went on to complete his brace on the night with virtually the last kick of the match as he weaving his way through four Palace players before curling a low left-footed into the bottom corner.
The match was Roy Hodgson's last home match as Crystal Palace manager after he announced he will be bowing out at the end of the season.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Dennis Bergkamp is the latest inductee into the Premier League Hall of fame following the likes of Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Alan Shearer, Eric Cantona and Thierry Henry, Daily Star.
The former Dutch international played a major role in Arsene Wenger's three Premier League titles during his 11-year spell with Arsenal.
The 52-year-old has been fondly remembered for two great goals he scored against Newcastle which was voted the best in the first 25 years of the Premier League.