Arsenal 2-2 C Palace (Apr 23, 2025) Game Analysis – ESPN
2025-04-23T22:20:37Z
Expert recap and game analysis of the Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace English Premier League game from April 23, 2025 on ESPN.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s wonder goal helped Crystal Palace earn a draw at Arsenal. BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images
Arsenal kept Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning champagne on ice but only just as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
First half goals by Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard looked like being enough for a lacklustre Arsenal against a lively Palace side who equalised with an Eberechi Eze volley.
But there was a late twist as Palace substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta produced a superb chipped finish over Arsenal keeper David Raya in the 83rd minute.
The draw left second-placed Arsenal on 67 points from 34 games with Liverpool on 79 from 33.
Had Arsenal lost, Liverpool would have won the title on Wednesday but they can now seal it with one point against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Both Arsenal and Palace have huge cup semi-final games looming — Arsenal in the Champions League at home to Paris Saint-Germain next Tuesday and Palace this Saturday against Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
Twelfth-placed Palace could have been excused if they were distracted by what will be the biggest game of their season.
Instead, it was Arsenal who were off the pace as they drew for the 13th time in the league this season and fifth time in eight — a statistic that has allowed Liverpool to all but mathematically wrap up a record-equalling 20th English title.
Palace, who left key players Mateta and Ismaïla Sarr on the bench but still fielded Eze, will have taken great heart from their display as they prepare for Villa on Saturday.
Eze took his goal brilliantly, connecting with Adam Wharton’s corner to bounce a volley in off the post past Raya.
But the best was saved to last as Mateta, still wearing the protective covering on his ear badly gashed in the FA Cup fifth round tie against Millwall, lofted a sensational shot over Raya after a bad ball from William Saliba had put Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard in trouble.
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