Liverpool’s Premier League title celebration was momentarily paused on Wednesday night as Arsenal were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.
This result means the Reds now need just a point against Tottenham on Sunday to clinch a record-equaling 20th English top-flight crown.
Goals from Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard gave Arsenal the lead on two occasions, but Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta struck for Palace.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta didn’t mince words post-match:
“We dropped our standards today and credit to Crystal Palace. We struggled to find consistency in the game.”
“We gave the ball away in simple ways and we were late in everything we did. I am disappointed.”
The hosts flew out of the blocks early, with Kiwior heading in from close range in the 3rd minute.
However, Palace — with one eye on Saturday’s FA Cup semifinal showdown against Aston Villa — showed no signs of distraction.
They leveled through a sublime Eze volley in the 27th minute, perfectly placed off an Adam Wharton corner that bounced in off the post.
Trossard restored Arsenal’s lead in the 42nd minute, capping a slick move with a cool finish.
But despite their attacking intent, the Gunners never looked secure at the back — and their fragility was exposed again late on.
In the 83rd minute, William Saliba’s misplaced pass left Martin Ødegaard in trouble, and Mateta, who had only just come off the bench, pounced.
The striker produced a stunning 30-yard chip over a scrambling David Raya to level the game.
“It was not our goal to decide the title, it was our goal to win the game,” Palace manager Oliver Glasner said afterward.
“I think a draw is a very good result. More important is the performance. We are back on the track.”
“It’s important to keep this energy and confidence for the semifinal on Saturday.”
The result leaves Arsenal second on 67 points, while Liverpool sit top with 79 — a single point on Sunday at Anfield is now all that separates them from glory.
For Crystal Palace, who remain 12th, the spirited display serves as a massive boost ahead of their FA Cup mission.
