Arsenal's bid to play in the Champions League for a 19th consecutive season suffered a setback after they were held to a 1-1 draw by London rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Alexis Sanchez headed the Gunners in front on the stroke of half-time but FA Cup semi-finalists Palace equalised nine minutes before the final whistle at the Emirates Stadium when Yannick Bolasie's shot from the edge of the box somehow evaded Petr Cech at the Arsenal goalkeeper's near post.

The draw meant Arsene Wenger's side failed to regain third place from Manchester City and were only four points in front of fifth-placed Manchester United, with just the top four clubs at the end of the season guaranteed Champions League football next term.

"I don't know how it works mathematically but we are too disappointed to think about the league, we have to think about the Champions League and fight to be in the Champions League," Arsenal manager Wenger told the BBC.