Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a stunning equaliser as Crystal Palace held Arsenal to a 2-2 draw in Wednesday night's Premier League contest at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners entered the match knowing that they needed to avoid defeat to mathematically stay in the Premier League title race, and their draw has placed Liverpool's seemingly-certain title celebrations on hold.
Jakub Kiwior headed Arsenal into an early lead before Eberechi Eze's excellent volley levelled the scores, but Leandro Trossard netted just before the interval to send Mikel Arteta's side back ahead in front of their own supporters.
Trossard's effort looked like it would be enough for the win, but Mateta's excellent chipped finish late on secured a point for Palace, who will be delighted with their evening's work.
The draw has moved Arsenal to within 12 points of the leaders Liverpool in the Premier League table, but the Reds, who also have a much better goal difference, will win this season's title with four games remaining should they manage to avoid defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Palace, meanwhile, remain 12th in the table, boasting 45 points from their 34 league games this season, which has left them three points behind 10th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of the next set of fixtures.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Arsenal could not let Liverpool win it tonight; they had to keep Arne Slot's side honest, but this was also an extremely important match in terms of second spot, with the Gunners, at the very least, looking to claim the runners-up spot.
Arteta's side could get the job done in terms of a win, but they are six points clear of third-placed Manchester City, while the North London team are 10 points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea, with the club therefore in a wonderful position when it comes to securing Champions League football for next season.
Arsenal are going to fall short in terms of the title, with too many draws (13) costing them this season, but it could still be a famous campaign, with a Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon.
There had been some concern surrounding Bukayo Saka's fitness after the clash with Ipswich Town on Sunday, but the forward featured in the second period and finished the match unscathed in the biggest positive of the night.
Palace, who had opportunities to win it late on, will now dust themselves down to prepare for an FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa, and their performance on Wednesday night would have given them a lot of confidence.
ARSENAL VS. CRYSTAL PALACE HIGHLIGHTS
Jakub Kiwior goal vs. Crystal Palace (3rd min, Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace)
The Arsenal set-piece machine roars again! 🔥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 23, 2025
Jakub Kiwior nets his first goal of the season for Arsenal 🔴 pic.twitter.com/U9Lx6GiTgr
Arsenal make the breakthrough in the third minute of the contest, as Kiwior heads an excellent delivery from Martin Odegaard into the back of the net; Palace have been undone in the early exchanges at the Emirates Stadium.
Eberechi Eze goal vs. Arsenal (27th min, Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace)
Outrageous...🤯
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 23, 2025
What a goal from Eberechi Eze! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/TbV4rOSdeu
All square at the Emirates, and the leveller comes from Eze, with the England international finding the back of the net via the inside the post after meeting a corner from Adam Wharton - it is a brilliantly controlled volley from the attacker.
Leandro Trossard goal vs. Crystal Palace (42nd min, Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace)
A class touch from Trossard and it's in the back of the net! 😰 pic.twitter.com/0i05Vf7iEB
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 23, 2025
Arsenal regain the lead shortly before the interval, as Trossard finds the bottom corner from just inside the box after showing excellent footwork; not the most convincing of finishes, but they all count!
Jean-Philippe Mateta goal vs. Arsenal (83rd min, Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace)
SIMPLY SUBLIME FROM MATETA! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/01YNTJ6d54
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 23, 2025
Oh my word, what a goal; Palace level it up at 2-2 as Mateta takes advantage of a mistake from William Saliba to perfectly lift the ball into the top corner over the advancing David Raya - it is an inch-perfect effort from the forward.
MAN OF THE MATCH - JAKUB KIWIOR
© Imago
Kiwior made the breakthrough at the Emirates Stadium with a towering header in the early exchanges, but it was the centre-back's overall performance that impressed the most, as he was so strong at the back.
The 25-year-old was excellent on the ball, meanwhile, finishing with a pass success rate of 96%, and he deserved to be on the winning side on Wednesday evening considering the quality of his general play over the course of the 90 minutes.
ARSENAL VS. CRYSTAL PALACE MATCH STATS
Possession: Arsenal 68%-32% Crystal Palace
Shots: Arsenal 12-15 Crystal Palace
Shots on target: Arsenal 6-4 Crystal Palace
Corners: Arsenal 3-6 Crystal Palace
Fouls: Arsenal 4-6 Crystal Palace
BEST STATS
Most set-piece goals in the Premier League this season excluding penalties:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) April 23, 2025
◉ 16 - Arsenal
◎ 15 - Crystal Palace
There was always going to be one this evening. 😅#ARSCRY pic.twitter.com/tS1d8pjzTq
Jakub Kiwior has scored Arsenal's quickest Premier League goal in a London derby (2:26) since March 2014, when Tomas Rosicky scored after 72 seconds vs. Tottenham. ⏱️ https://t.co/DFSO1VsHR5
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 23, 2025
Eberechi Eze's last two Premier League goals:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) April 23, 2025
◉ vs. Man City at the Etihad
◉ vs. Arsenal at the Emirates
Last season's top two. 💪#ARSCRY pic.twitter.com/TTzhqkeGM7
Three Arsenal players have scored over 25 goals across all competitions since the start of last season:
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 23, 2025
◉ Kai Havertz
◉ Bukayo Saka
◉ Leandro Trossard 🆕
The Belgian joins the club. 💪 pic.twitter.com/mHXOuRA8X0
WHAT NEXT?
Arsenal's attention will now switch to the Champions League and the small matter of a home fixture against Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday night, before returning to league action at home to Bournemouth next Saturday.
As for Palace, the Eagles will take on Aston Villa in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Saturday evening, and they will then not be back in league action until May 5, welcoming top-five hopefuls Nottingham Forest to Selhurst Park.
Matt Law
