Mateta brilliance pegs Gunners back but Liverpool title party still on hold
Arsenal delayed the seemingly inevitable Liverpool title party for at least another few days despite twice being pegged back in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Emirates.
The Gunners needed to avoid defeat against the Eagles to prevent the runaway Premier League leaders from being crowned champions before the weekend.
However, with Arsenal welcoming PSG in the Champions League semi-finals next week, and Palace facing Aston Villa in the FA Cup last four on Saturday, both sides could be forgiven for having one eye on their respective upcoming fixtures.
Jakub Kiwior had given the Gunners the early advantage with a header but Eberechi Eze’s bouncing volley from the edge of the box levelled things up.
Leandro Trossard then found the net to restore the advantage for Mikel Arteta’s side before the break but the visitors again drew level in the second half courtesy of a neat chipped finish from Jean-Philippe Mateta.
A point apiece at Emirates Stadium ⚖️
Attentions turn to the Champions League next Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/7AZ3zfs4mW
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 23, 2025
How the action unfolded
It took all of three minutes for Arteta’s side to take the lead. From a free-kick, Kiwior, who has become a defensive mainstay in the absence of the injured Gabriel, rose high to head home his first goal for the Gunners in more than a year.
From there, the opening 25 minutes made for largely relaxed viewing for those of a red persuasion, the in-from Declan Rice having the best chance when his effort fizzed narrowly wide.
But out of nothing, Palace equalised with a goal straight out the top drawer. Adam Wharton picked out Eze on the edge of the box from a corner and the England international hammered a volley into the ground that bounced up and in off the post.
The Arsenal set-piece machine roars again! 🔥
Jakub Kiwior nets his first goal of the season for Arsenal 🔴 pic.twitter.com/U9Lx6GiTgr
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 23, 2025
It was suddenly all a little less comfortable for the hosts. Kiwior blocked brilliantly to deny former Arsenal man Eddie Nketiah from just a few yards out as Liverpool’s title party looked to be back on.
But four minutes before half-time the hosts restored their lead when Trossard struck with a tidy left-footed finish after being found by Jurrien Timber.
The game had a slick but far from frenetic tempo to it: one that would perhaps suit both sides given their upcoming fixtures.
With an hour gone, Arteta introduced Bukayo Saka but it was one of Palace’s replacements, Ismaila Sarr, who carved out a great chance when his cross found Justin Devenny.
But the midfielder got his header all wrong and Rayawas able to tip the ball over.
Raya had looked uncharacteristically shaky all evening but the Arsenal keeper was on hand to keep out Marc Guehi’s header.
Sarr then also saw a header bounce wide before Arteta’s side had a goal chalked off when Gabriel Martinelli bundled home from Timber’s cross.
VAR eventually confirmed that the ball was out of play as the Dutchman hooked the ball into the box and so the score remained at 2-1.
SIMPLY SUBLIME FROM MATETA! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/01YNTJ6d54
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 23, 2025
Dean Henderson kept it that way when he saved brilliantly from Saka, and it was a stop that ultimately proved vital.
Just moments later, substitute Mateta levelled the tie with a delightful chipped finish after he latched onto a wayward pass from William Saliba with Raya out of his goal.
