Arsenal failed to climb back up to third in the Premier League by managing only a 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace in this afternoon's Premier League match at the Emirates.

It took Arsenal, who enjoyed over three quarters of possession in the first half, 38 minutes to really go close when an Alexis Sanchez free kick took a slight deflection off the Palace wall to drop just wide.

Mesut Ozil was then denied by Wayne Hennessey as the dominant Gunners finally mustered a shot on target, while down the other end Connor Wickham headed over the visitors' best chance of the opening period.

It looked as if it would be goalless at the interval, but Arsenal broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time through Sanchez, who looped a header over the advancing Hennessey after being picked out by Danny Welbeck's dinked through-ball.

Arsenal continued to do all the attacking after half time, but they could not double their advantage as Alex Iwobi, Ozil and Sanchez all missed the target, while Welbeck was denied by Hennessey in the 65th minute.

Palace threatened an equaliser 15 minutes from time when Bakary Sako's header was tipped over by Petr Cech and then the visitors did find a way through to silence the Emirates.

Yannick Bolasie cut inside and faked a shot twice before eventually unleashing a powerful low drive that was too strong for Cech's right hand at the near post and sneaked into the corner.

Arsenal's best chance to retake the lead in the closing stages fell to Gabriel Paulista, but he headed straight at Hennessey. Palace could have even stolen victory in stoppage time had Wilfried Zaha managed to pick out unmarked former Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor and not taken a heavy touch after winning the ball off Laurent Koscielny.

A point means that Arsenal stay fourth, behind Manchester City on goal difference, while Palace are up to 39 points, nine above the relegation zone.