Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, as Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late equaliser denied the Gunners all three points and postponed Liverpool’s Premier League title celebrations.
Jakub Kiwior opened the scoring for Arsenal with a free header from Martin Ødegaard’s set-piece before Eberechi Eze struck back for Palace, volleying in smartly from a training-ground routine.
Leandro Trossard restored Arsenal’s lead before the break with a well-controlled finish, and Mikel Arteta’s side looked on course for victory until a poor pass from William Saliba was intercepted by Mateta, who lobbed David Raya to level the tie with seven minutes left.
The draw means Liverpool, who needed an Arsenal loss to secure the title midweek, will now have the chance to wrap up their 20th league title at Anfield when they face Tottenham on Sunday.
Despite flashes of attacking promise, Arsenal’s defensive lapses proved costly. Arteta’s side remain in contention for the Champions League, with a semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain looming on Tuesday.
For Crystal Palace, the result provides a morale boost ahead of their FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa this weekend.
