Alexis Sanchez had three shots blocked as the Gunners began aggressively before Olivier Giroud got the opener. The Frenchman's superb scissor kick put away a Mesut Ozil cross but the lead lasted 12 minutes until Joel Ward's driven shot drew Palace level. Connor Wickham hit the post on his home debut before Damian Delaney sliced a Sanchez header into his own net. Jordon Mutch almost inadvertently grabbed a late equaliser when the ball struck his head and went over from a corner while Petr Cech held a Ward header in a frantic finish.