Arsenal’s hopes of keeping the Premier League title race alive suffered a major dent on Wednesday night as they were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by a spirited Crystal Palace side at the Emirates Stadium. Despite leading twice through goals from Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard, Mikel Arteta’s men failed to see out the game, allowing Jean-Philippe Mateta to net a sublime late equaliser.
It was a match filled with tension and twists. Arsenal started brightly, taking a deserved lead when Martin Odegaard’s pinpoint free-kick was met by Kiwior, who headed past Dean Henderson. Although Eberechi Eze responded with a superb volley to level the score for Palace, Trossard restored Arsenal’s lead before halftime. Yet, the Gunners, who have now drawn nine league games after taking the lead this season – more than any other team – were once again undone by a momentary lapse in concentration.
Mateta’s Magic Moment Leaves Liverpool on the Verge
Palace substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta made the biggest impact of the night, pouncing on a heavy touch from William Saliba in the 83rd minute to loft a stunning chipped finish over Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. The goal not only stunned the Emirates crowd but also sent ripples through Merseyside, where Liverpool players and staff watched the match unfold from a hotel.
Had Arsenal lost, Liverpool would have been crowned champions without needing to play. Instead, the draw means Jürgen Klopp’s side now only need a single point from their clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday to seal the Premier League title. With 79 points from 33 games, compared to Arsenal’s 67 from 34, Liverpool are now virtually assured of lifting their 20th top-flight trophy.
A Tactical Battle: Set-Piece Kings and Missed Chances
Both sides demonstrated their prowess from dead-ball situations. Arsenal’s opener marked their 16th set-piece goal of the league campaign, taking them one ahead of Palace atop the Premier League’s set-piece scoring chart. However, Palace were not to be outdone. Adam Wharton’s cleverly worked corner found Eze on the edge of the box, whose volley crept in off the post.
Despite Eze and Wharton being substituted with the FA Cup semi-final in mind, Palace continued to pose threats. David Raya was called into action several times in the second half, denying efforts from Justin Devenny and Marc Guehi, while Ismaila Sarr spurned a close-range opportunity. Arsenal, meanwhile, thought they had a third goal through Gabriel Martinelli, but it was ruled out by VAR for the ball going out of play in the build-up.
Eyes on Bigger Prizes: Arsenal and Palace Look Ahead
While the draw leaves Arsenal’s domestic title ambitions hanging by a thread, their focus now shifts to the UEFA Champions League semi-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. Avoiding injuries was as crucial as securing points, and Arteta will be relieved to come through unscathed with several key players rested or rotated.
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, gained a morale-boosting result ahead of their FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa this weekend. Jean-Philippe Mateta, speaking after the match, expressed his delight at scoring one of the finest goals of his career and emphasized the importance of the result in lifting the team’s confidence ahead of the Wembley showdown.
Arteta and Glasner React as Premier League Drama Unfolds
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lamented his side’s inability to close out matches, highlighting the need for better composure and focus in critical moments. “We did enough to win but gave them a sniff and they took it. We need to be more ruthless,” Arteta said, visibly frustrated after another missed opportunity.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner praised his side’s resilience and execution of the game plan. “We showed character and quality. The boys followed the strategy perfectly, and Mateta’s finish was world-class,” he said. The result reflects the strides Palace have made under Glasner’s stewardship, offering promise not just for their FA Cup aspirations but also for a strong finish in the Premier League.
As the dust settles on this dramatic encounter, all eyes turn to Anfield on Sunday, where Liverpool could officially be crowned champions – a moment delayed but not denied.
