Arsenal snatch a last minute victory as Selhurst Park says goodbye to Roy Hodgson

Last two fixtures of the season were there for Arteta to tighten his ranks before the season officially ends. Their penultimate match of the Premier League campaign ended with all three points taken to the Emirates Stadium in the final seconds of the match. Final score 1-3.

The game started all the players honouring Palace manager Roy Hodgson as this was his last match as head of staff at Selhurst Park.

Football-wise, Arsenal's dominance was there from the get-go. Gabonese striker and Gunners skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang blew a good opportunity. He fired a terrific shot from the edge of the box towards the middle of the goal, but Guaita made a brilliant save.

Hosts had their first chance in the 23rd minute but Bernd Leno pulled off a fantastic save. James Tomkins attempted to head home after a precise cross into the box. He aimed his header towards the left post, but the effort was kept out.

Palace had another promising effort - courtesy of Jeffrey Schlupp - he tried to score with a first-time shot from the edge of the box. His effort towards the right post was saved by Leno.

And then - Arsenal stroke back with a beautiful play. Saka - Tierney - Pepe was the trio that produced the advantage for the guests in the 35th minute.

The conceded goal only intensified the desire of the hosts to score. Even though Arsenal had the ball more, Glassmakers were closer to leveling it.

Second half was a continuation of the first, nothing changed after the teams came back from the break.

Hodgson's squad deservedly made it all square after the hour mark. With a perfectly taken free kick, Andros Townsend sent the ball in. Christian Benteke managed to jump highest near the penalty spot and planted a cracking header low in the back of the net.

Benteke has scored in four consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time since April 2013.

Ten minutes later same player was close to scoring - Benteke raced onto a cross inside the box and let fly with a powerful effort, but Leno made a fantastic reaction save to deny him.

Palace were a much better side in that period of the match - in the 75th minute Wilfried Zaha missed a good chance to score. An inch-perfect cross into the box found him but he sent the ball well over the bar.

Crystal Palace had a couple of counter-attacks they failed to covert so a punishment came in added time. Martin Odegaard's ball into the box was bundled over the line by Gabriel Martinelli in the 92nd minute.

And just moments later, Ivorian winger scored his second - a beautiful solo effort - to seal the win for the north Londoners.

If West Ham and archrivals Tottenham fail to win in their final fixtures and Arsenal beat Brighton, Gunners are participants of Europa League next season. After all that Arsenal went through this year, such outcome would be amazing.

PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 37

Tuesday

Manchester United - Fulham 1-1 (1-0)

/Cavani 15' - Bryan 76'/

Southampton - Leeds 0-2 (0-0)

/Bamford 75', Roberts 90+5'/

Brighton - Manchester City 3-2 (0-1)

/Trossard 50', Webster 72', Burn 76' - Gundogan 2', Foden 48'/

Chelsea - Leicester City 2-1 (0-0)

/Rudiger 48', Jorginho 66' pen - Iheanacho 76'/

Wednesday

Everton - Wolverhampton 1-0 (0-0)

/Richarlison 48'/

Newcastle - Sheffield United 1-0 (1-0)

/Willock 45+4'/

Tottenham - Aston Villa 1-2 (1-2)

/Bergwijn 8' - Reguilon 20' og, Watkins 39'/

Crystal Palace - Arsenal 1-3 (0-1)

/Benteke 62' - Pepe 35', 90+5', Martinelli 92'/

Burnley - Liverpool 0-3 (0-1)

/Firmino 43, Philips 52, Oxlade-Chamberlain 88/

West Brom - West Ham 1-3 (1-1)

/Pereira 27 - Soucek 45+1, Ogbonna 82, Antonio 88/