Liverpool inches from glory as Arsenal draw against Crystal Palace
Arsenal delayed Liverpool’s Premier League title celebrations after being held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
Goals from Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard were not enough to earn the UEFA Champions League semi-finalists all three points, as Palace twice came from behind to snatch a draw—practically ending Arsenal’s slim hopes of overtaking the Anfield giants.
Mikel Arteta made four changes to the side that started the 4-0 win over Ipswich at the weekend. Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jurrien Timber, and Thomas Partey were handed starts, while Raheem Sterling was given a rare opportunity.
Bukayo Saka was named on the bench despite concerns over an injury sustained at Portman Road. Ben White and Mikel Merino were left out of the matchday squad altogether, raising concerns ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain next Tuesday.
Palace’s equaliser was a moment of brilliance. Adam Wharton picked out Eberechi Eze at the edge of the box from a corner, and the midfielder connected sweetly on the volley. The ball struck the post before nestling into the net.
The second half was relatively subdued, with Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya the busier of the two. Gabriel Martinelli had a goal ruled out after the ball was judged to have gone out of play before he finished.
Saka, introduced from the bench, forced a superb save from Sam Johnstone before Jean-Philippe Mateta made an immediate impact. Coming on as a substitute, he capitalised on a defensive error by William Saliba to score a sublime equaliser.
Palace pressed for a winner that would have crowned Liverpool champions, but the league leaders will now have to seal the title themselves when they host Tottenham on Sunday.
