Liverpool’s coronation as Premier League champions will have to wait a few more days, although it’s now only a matter of when, not if. In a match that could have represented a microcosm of their domestic season, Arsenal appeared to be heading towards a narrow victory over a doggedCrystal Palaceside after Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard cancelled out Eberechi Eze’s brilliant volley. But an uncharacteristic mistake from William Saliba allowed the substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta to equalise and earn a deserved point for Palace, who will now head to Wembley for their FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on Saturday full of confidence.
Liverpool’s players had gathered to watch events unfold in north London knowing that a defeat would seal a record-equalling 20th league title with five games still to play. They now have a 12-point lead with a vastly superior goal difference, with a draw against Tottenham on Sunday all that is required to make it official. At leastArsenal– who look destined to end up as runners-up for a third year in a row – still have the consolation of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain next week.
Arteta insisted beforehand that as well as delaying Liverpool’s title procession, Arsenal had an incentive to win this game to maintain the momentum of their victories over Real Madrid. Thomas Partey, who is suspended for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, returned after missing the win over Ipswich, with Raheem Sterling handed a rarePremier Leaguestart as Bukayo Saka dropped to the bench.
Reports emerged just before kick-off that Arsenal have opened talks with Partey over extending his contract, which expires in the summer, when he had previously seemed set to depart. This is surely a reward for some consistently commanding performances in central midfield this season. Palace famously played the role of party poopers when they came back from 3-0 down against Liverpool in 2014 to virtually assure Manchester City of the title.
With one eye on their own big FA Cup day out at Wembley on Saturday against Villa, there didn’t seem to be much chance of history repeating itself this time – especially when Kiwior rose unmarked to head in Martin Ødegaard’s free-kick in the third minute.
Glasner, who complained that Palace have been put at a disadvantage by having 24 hours less than Villa to prepare for their semi-final on Saturday, hinted that Eddie Nketiah would start against his former club as a reward for his patience in playing second fiddle to Mateta. He came close to equalising almost straight away from a corner before almost setting up Daniel Muñoz after a quick break downfield.
Arsenal’s unbeaten record in all competitions stretches back to the end of February, although four draws in their last seven Premier League matches have undermined any chance of catching Liverpool.
But while Declan Rice was inches away from doubling his side’s lead when he flashed a shot just wide, Palace had been more than holding their own when they summoned up a spectacular equaliser. Arsenal’s defenders didn’t seem to have noticed Eze on the edge of the box for a corner and he was picked out perfectly by Adam Wharton to volley the ball in off the post. It could have been even better for Palace had Kiwior not been on hand to block Nketiah’s shot after another immaculate piece of skill from Eze to set him up. Suddenly Arsenal’s supporters were venting their frustrations.
Yet after scoring twice at the weekend, Trossard continued his rich vein of form when he squeezed a shot past Dean Henderson via a deflection off Jefferson Lerma on the stroke of half-time to restore their lead.
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The Palace goalkeeper needed treatment at the start of the second half when Nketiah clattered into him as he attempted to head away a free-kick but Henderson was able to continue. The introduction of Saka on the hour drew almost as big a roar as either of the home side’s goals as Arsenal attempted to put the game to bed.
Justin Devenny spurned a massive opportunity for Palace to draw level again when he failed to make proper contact with an Ismaïla Sarr cross, before David Raya denied Marc Guéhi from the resulting corner. Somehow Sarr could not get enough power behind his header after Muñoz glanced another corner across the face of goal as Palace piled on the pressure.
Gabriel Martinelli thought he had settled matters when he touched in Jurriën Timber’s cross but the video assistant referee eventually ruled that the ball had already gone out of play. A stunning save from Henderson kept out Saka’s volley from close range and it was to prove vital as Mateta pounced on Saliba’s mistake and chipped the stranded Raya to send the travelling supporters behind his goal wild.