Arsenal survives late scare to beat Palace 2-1 to clinch third spot in PL table

First half goals from Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud helped Arsenal survive a late scare from Crystal Palace to win the math 2-1 and advance to the third spot in the Premier League table.

Cazorla's eight minute penalty put Arsenal in the lead after Pape Souare brought down Danny Welbeck. He was also involved in his side's second goal as Julian Speroni parried his low effort before Giroud netted the rebound just before half-time to make it 2-0.

Palace's Glenn Murray scored in injury time after a goalmouth scramble and it looked like the match would end in a draw as he hit the post as Arsenal held on, the BBC reported.

Arsenal were forced to battle hard for the three points and got lucky in the 95th minute when Murray connected with Yannick Bolasie's cross but was denied by the woodwork

It had looked like it was going to be a routine afternoon for the visitors, who had thwarted their opponent's efforts, as Palace went 84 minutes before they registered a shot on target.

However, Murray's goal, which came when he slid the ball in from close range after the ball deflected into his path off Laurent Koscielny, gave Arsene Wenger's side something of a fright.

Nevertheless, Palace failed to score an equaliser goal as Arsenal moved up to third, their highest position in the Premier League since August.

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew said that he can't remember being as fulfilled by a defeat for a long time, adding that he is so proud of the players and feels so despondent for them to not get anything out of the game.

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Wenger said that it was about fighting for the win, adding that Palace made it a really tough game and his side had to dig deep on a difficult pitch against a good team so he added that he is very happy with the win.