Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace player ratings: Granit Xhaka flops as Gunners blow two-goal lead

Arsenal were denied victory by a controversial VAR call in the closing stages of their clash with Crystal Palace .

Sokratis had the ball in the net, but a foul was called on Calum Chambers by the video official, ruling out the late winner.

Despite starting Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang together, Arsenal were given a flying start by their centre-backs.

Firstly, Sokratis was on hand to fire home after Palace were unable to clear a corner.

Then two minutes later, David Luiz prodded home at the back post, again capitalising on some suspect Palace defending.

Sokratis had his late goal ruled out by VAR (Getty Images)

But after VAR overturned Wilfried Zaha's apparent dive and gave a penalty, Luka Miliojevic ensured that the game would not be over before the half-time break.

Palace came out with a focus and got their breakthrough before the hour. James McArthur's cross was nodded home at the back post by Jordan Ayew to level the game.

From there, Arsenal continued to wobble and an extraordinary outburst from Granit Xhaka will no doubt take the headlines. As he was substituted off, he cupped his ear at the Arsenal fans' boos, ripped off his shirt and stormed down the tunnel.

Sokratis had the ball in the net in the closing stages, but VAR ruled out his strike to add to the frustrations of the Arsenal crowd.

Ayew's header ensured the game finished 2-2 (Getty Images)

Here is how Mike Walters, our man at the Emirates, rated the performances...

Arsenal

Leno 6 - No issues with handling but too much chaos in front of him

Chambers 6 - He won't be the last defender baffled by Zaha's issues with gravity

Sokratis 6 - Baffled by disallowed goal, but Gunners ship too many at home

Luiz 6 - Two goals in three games – then goal machine reverted to liability

Tierney 7 - Decent Premier League debut but Townsend's incisive runs kept him busy

Guendouzi 7 - High marks for industry, question marks when the chips are down

Ceballos 8 - Moments of sublime quality, first touch was invariably magnetic

Xhaka 4 - Conducted the fans' jeers then tore off his shirt when subbed. Bad move

Xhaka had a stinker for Arsenal (Action Images via Reuters)

Pepe 7 - Two set piece assists and inches away from getting on the scoresheet

Lacazette 6 - Struck outside of post from tight angle and put himself about

Aubameyang 6 - More effective down the middle than shunted wide on flanks

Subs: Saka (Xhaka, 61) 5, Kolasinac (Tierney, 75) 6

Not used: Martinez, Bellerin, Torreira, Holding, Martinelli.

Milivojevic scored a penalty to bring Palace back into the game (PA)

Crystal Palace

Hennessey 6 - Recovered after flapping like a prop forward at a line-out for Arsenal's opener

Ward 6 - Dodgy start, but worked hard to plug gaps down Palace's right flank

Tomkins 6 - Rattled by Gunners' storming start but commitment beyond reproach

Cahill 7 - More consistent than some centre backs wheeled out by England this season

Van Aanholt 6 - Defensively suspect but always a willing outlet going forward

Milivojevic 7 - Remarkably, 22 of his 26 Palace goals have come from the penalty spot

Kouyate 6 - Far too slow to close down Sokratis for Arsenal's opening goal

Arsenal had got off to a flying start at the Emirates (Getty Images)

Townsend 7 - Lively, and gave Tierney a speedy introduction to English football

McArthur 8 - Stood up cross perfectly for Ayew's equaliser at far post

Zaha 7 - One way or another he's box office, you can't keep him down for long

Ayew 7 - Exemplary opportunism at far post to make it 2-2

Subs: Benteke (Ayew, 81)

Not used: Henderson, Dann, Meyer, Schlupp, McCarthy, Kelly.