Crystal Palace Frustrate Arsenal, Title Slips Closer to Liverpool

Arsenal and Crystal Palace played out a draw at Emirates Stadium to prolong Liverpool’s wait to be crowned Premier League champions for the second time in five seasons.

A draw at Afield against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (16:30 BST) would now be enough for Arne Slot’s side, who lead Arsenal by 12 points, to clinch their 20th league title – equaling Manchester United’s record.

Both Arsenal and Palace’s main focus is on their cup exploits, with the Gunners in the Champions League semi-finals and the Eagles at the same stage in the FA Cup – and both managers rested key players.

Arsenal took an early lead when center-back Jakub Kiwior planted an excellent header past Dean Henderson from a Martin Odegaard free-kick in the third minute.

Palace looked dangerous on the attack but vulnerable at the back, and Oliver Gleasner’s side equalized through a cleverly worked set-piece in the 27th minute.

Adam Wharton clipped the ball to the edge of the area and Eberechi Eze volleyed his shot into the ground and the ball hit the post before making its way into the net.

Leandro Trossard gave Arsenal the lead just before half-time when he picked up a pass from Jurrien Timber and squeezed a shot into the bottom corner.

The Eagles continued to push for an equalizer and had good opportunities with headers from Justin Devenny and Ismaila Sarr but neither could get a good contact on the ball.

Palace did level for the second time through substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta, when William Saliba gifted the ball to the striker with a dreadful loose pass 25 yards out and the forward produced an excellent chipped finish over stranded Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

This match was always going to be tricky for manager Mikel Arteta to navigate with Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris St-Germain looming.

And this draw, Arsenal’s 13th in the Premier League, is one of the big reasons why the Gunners have fallen away in their title challenge.

Arteta picked a strong side with seven days until Luis Enrique’s team come to north London, with Bukayo Saka on the bench as a precaution.

Saka was named as a substitute after he took a kick to his ankle in the win over Ipswich at the weekend, and Arteta played Trossard as a striker as he looked to try options before their season-defining game in Europe.

Trossard, who is likely to start in the central striking role next week as Mikel Merino, who missed this match through injury, will be needed in midfield because of Thomas Partey’s suspension.

The Belgian produced an excellent touch for the second Arsenal goal – his fourth in his past four Premier League appearances, matching the amount he registered in his previous 31.

Just like the Gunners, Crystal Palace’s focus is now on a cup semi-final and Glasner’s side face Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday.

The Eagles are safe in 12th position in the Premier League and their hopes of a path into Europe rest on winning the FA Cup.

Glasner was unlikely to change the 3-4-2-1 formation which has brought Palace some excellent results this season, though he did leave top scorer Mateta on the bench.

The Eagles defended poorly at times in the first half but did have opportunities to take something more from this game which would have meant Liverpool wrapping up the title.

Devenny and Sarr both had good chances in the second half with close-range headers, but neither caused Arsenal keeper Raya problems.

Palace will need to defend better than at the Emirates if they are to reach the FA Cup final – but Glasner will surely be pleased with the goals his side scored.