Arsenal vs Crystal Palace delivered late drama, defensive lapses, and a gut-wrenching result for the Gunners, who let a vital lead slip once again. With the Premier League title barely within reach, Mikel Arteta’s side drew 2-2 at the Emirates, allowing Crystal Palace to play spoilers and leaving Liverpool just one point away from officially sealing the championship.
For Arsenal, this match was a painful summary of their season—brilliant moments clouded by lapses in focus and costly mistakes. Meanwhile, Palace walked away with momentum and confidence ahead of their FA Cup semi-final clash against Aston Villa this weekend.
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Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Bright Start, Same Ending
It all started so well. Within three minutes of kick-off, Jakub Kiwior gave Arsenal the lead with a powerful header from Martin Ødegaard’s set-piece. The Gunners appeared sharp, hungry, and ready to fight for the title until the end.
But this is the story of the clash—a game that mirrored Arsenal’s campaign: full of promise, but ultimately undone by moments of carelessness. Despite leading twice, Arsenal failed to close the game out, allowing Eberechi Eze and substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta to cancel out their advantage.
Arteta’s men have now drawn nine games from winning positions, a statistic that underlines the fragility that’s cost them a legitimate shot at the Premier League crown.
All the key moments from our 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League pic.twitter.com/uhz30mSv9H
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 23, 2025
Eze and Mateta Turn the Tide for Palace
Palace showed grit and resilience throughout the match. After Kiwior’s opener, it was Eberechi Eze who responded with a moment of brilliance. Lurking unmarked at the edge of the box during a corner, Eze volleyed in off the post after being picked out perfectly by Adam Wharton.
In the second half, Arsenal thought they had sealed the win when Leandro Trossard squeezed in a second goal just before the break—his third goal in two games. The Belgian attacker, in sensational form lately, benefited from a slight deflection off Jefferson Lerma to restore the lead.
But just when Arsenal needed calm heads and solid defending, a lapse from William Saliba gave Palace an opening. Mateta, who had only been on the pitch for a few minutes, pounced on the error and lofted the ball over a stranded David Raya, sending Palace fans into wild celebrations.
Still can’t get over this Jean-Philippe Mateta finish #CPFC pic.twitter.com/I3FAoQn0NZ
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 23, 2025
Arsenal’s Missed Chances and Defensive Woes
Despite dominating possession (67%) and firing 11 shots, Arsenal lacked the killer instinct needed to put the game to bed. Declan Rice came close to doubling the lead in the first half, while Bukayo Saka, introduced in the 60th minute, had a late volley brilliantly saved by Dean Henderson.
The Gunners also had a third goal ruled out after Gabriel Martinelli tapped in from close range, but VAR confirmed the ball had already gone out of play in the build-up. These fine margins continue to haunt Arsenal, especially in tight encounters like Arsenal vs Crystal Palace.
Injuries didn’t help either. Arteta revealed after the game that Ben White and Mikel Merino were left out due to knocks and remain doubts for the upcoming Champions League semi-final against PSG.
Palace’s Grit and Glory
Credit must go to Oliver Glasner and his Crystal Palace squad. With one eye on Wembley, Palace still fought tooth and nail against a top-tier side. Despite rotating the squad and having less preparation time than Villa ahead of their FA Cup semi-final, Palace’s intensity never dropped.
Eze was a constant threat, and Ismaïla Sarr, Daniel Muñoz, and Marc Guéhi all played crucial roles in disrupting Arsenal’s rhythm. The draw not only dented Arsenal’s title hopes but gave Palace a boost of confidence ahead of their big day out at Wembley.
Arteta’s Verdict and What’s Next
Arteta admitted his side lacked their usual sharpness. “The game wasn’t grabbed like we normally do,” he said. With Liverpool now only needing a draw against Tottenham to clinch the title, Arsenal’s focus will surely shift fully to the Champions League.
With the PSG tie looming, questions now arise around squad depth, injuries, and whether the team can mentally reset after this disappointment.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Match Stats Snapshot
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Possession: Arsenal 67% – Palace 33%
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Shots on Target: Arsenal 4 – Palace 4
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Corners: Arsenal 6 – Palace 3
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Fouls: Arsenal 6 – Palace 4
Despite the numbers, it’s the defensive frailties and dropped points that dominate the narrative of Arsenal vs Crystal Palace.
The match might not be remembered as a title-decider, but it will certainly be seen as another chapter in Arsenal’s ongoing struggle to turn potential into silverware. With another season likely to end as runners-up, the Gunners will now hope to make a splash in Europe as a form of redemption.
For Palace, it’s mission accomplished: momentum gained, confidence restored, and a trip to Wembley looming. For Arsenal, the wait continues—and so does the frustration.
