AFCON 2025
Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations suffered a significant setback as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
Despite taking the lead twice through Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard, the Gunners were pegged back each time by goals from Eberechi Eze and substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The result leaves Arsenal trailing league leaders Liverpool by 12 points, with the Reds now needing just a single point from their upcoming match against Tottenham Hotspur to clinch the title.
Arsenal started brightly, with Kiwior opening the scoring in the 18th minute. However, Eze leveled the match with a superb volley before halftime.
Trossard restored Arsenal’s lead in the second half, but a late error by William Saliba allowed Mateta to equalize, ensuring the points were shared.
The draw marks Arsenal’s 13th in the league this season, a statistic that has significantly impacted their title challenge.
Despite their recent unbeaten run, the Gunners have struggled to convert draws into wins, a factor that has allowed Liverpool to maintain a comfortable lead at the top.
Crystal Palace, under the guidance of manager Oliver Glasner, showcased resilience and tactical discipline.
The Eagles are set to face Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, buoyed by their performance against Arsenal.
Arsenal now turn their attention to the Champions League, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals next week. With the Premier League title seemingly out of reach, European success could provide a silver lining to their season.
