With no real chance of a Premier League comeback, Arsenal came close to pre-empting Liverpool's title bid and were almost beaten by Crystal Palace, leaving the Emirates Stadum with a 2-2 draw against one of the FA Cup semi-finalists. With that, all Liverpool need to do is draw against Tottenham to secure the trophy this weekend.
Even though they had little chance of winning the title, the Gunners remained highly competitive and went into the game with their main players ready to win. As such, the score was opened just two minutes into the game, when Martin Odegaard took a free-kick into the box and Jakub Kiwior rose clear of his marker.
With the lead quickly established, Arsenal played their style of game calmly, playing a lot of passes in attack. However, Crystal Palace showed resilience and got back into the game with the equalizer before half-time through quick, vertical transitions. In the 26th minute, Wharton outwitted the Gunners' marking from a corner and crossed the ball to Eberechi Eze for a first-time shot.
Arsenal managed to withstand the moment of instability and regained control of the match in the 42nd minute with a lot of passing in attack until Leandro Trossard received the ball on the edge of the box to put Arsenal back in front. In the second half, Mikel Arteta's team saved their strength and controlled the match without the same intensity in an effort to preserve their players.
However, Gunners were punished for their lack of ambition in securing victory and Crystal Palace seized a golden opportunity in the final minutes. After a poor clearance, Mateta took the opportunity to steal the ball and find Raya, who shot firmly to make the final score 2-2.
What does the late goal mean for Arsenal?
The frustrating result for Arsenal is a warning sign for Mikel Arteta's team to focus on the 90 minutes of matches until the end of the season. A squad made up of many young players can be susceptible to moments of "blackout", as in VInícius Júnior's goal in the Champions League quarter-finals. Despite securing the win, the Gunners flirted with the possibility of their opponents reacting, and PSG will certainly look to exploit any opportunity.