Arsenal v Crystal Palace LIVE: Gunners held to draw but delay Liverpool title celebrations
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace: Jean-Philippe Mateta’s sublime finish snatched a point for Palace and Liverpool must wait a few more days
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.
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.
Follow all the action from the Emirates below:
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
42 mins
GOAL! Another brilliant goal at the Emirates!
It all starts with good work from Timber, who picks it up on the right before skipping past a challenge and fizzing it into Trossard in the box. He weaves between the challenges from Lacroix and Lerma and squeezes the shot away, and it deflects off Lacroix and into the bottom corner!

Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
44 mins
Arsenal looking for another one right away as Trossard’s ball towards Sterling is turned behind by Guehi.
From the set-piece, the ball is headed back across goal but Palace eventually clear.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
45 mins
Half a chance for Palace now as Kamada lays it off to Guehi, who sees a promising curled effort blocked by Kiwior.
We’ll have two minutes of added time here.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
45 +1 mins
Martinelli tries to poke past henderson as he beat the ‘keeper to a long ball, but it’s straight to him (and the offside flag went up).
Moments later, Rice is booked for bringing down Nketiah.
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
A final chance as Eze’s free-kick is headed away by Lewis-Skelly, and the referee brings the half to an end.
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
A surprisingly entertaining half in north London, with a decent tempo to the game and plenty of quality from both sides.
Arsenal are ahead after two good goals, with the outstanding moment being Eze’s volleyed equaliser.
Palace aren’t out of this yet, but the Liverpool title party will be delayed by a few days at this rate.
KICK-OFF! Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
We’re back underway at the Emirates!
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
46 mins
Half a chance right away for Arsenal as they get in behind the Palace defence but the cross is headed away. Decent start.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments