Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace: Mateta’s Stunning Lob Puts Liverpool on Brink of Premier League Title
Arsenal’s Premier League title dream is all but over after a dramatic 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace, with substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring a sensational late equalizer that inches Liverpool just one point away from lifting the 2024/25 Premier League title.
After taking the lead twice, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners failed to hold off a spirited Palace side that came from behind twice in a thrilling London derby at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool a Point Away from Glory
With just four matches remaining, Arne Slot’s Liverpool side now need only a single point against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday at Anfield to secure the title. Their rivals Arsenal, meanwhile, are left to reflect on a painful collapse that has seen them win just four league games in the last 10.
Once flying high, Arsenal are now at the mercy of results, with only the UEFA Champions League offering salvation. The Gunners’ recent league form, including a 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City in February, now feels like a distant memory.
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Mateta’s Magic: Super Sub Strikes Again
It was Jean-Philippe Mateta, rested by manager Oliver Glasner, who produced the moment of the match. With seven minutes left, he intercepted a lazy Arsenal pass 30 yards out and sent a sublime lob over David Raya to earn the Eagles a deserved point.
Mateta’s impact under Glasner continues to grow, and his goal might go down as one of the defining moments of the season—not just for Palace, but for the title race as a whole.
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Champions League Distraction?
Arsenal appeared distracted, perhaps understandably so, with a mammoth Champions League semifinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain just around the corner. But the stats are damning: in their last 10 domestic fixtures, they’ve collected only 17 points—hardly title-winning form.
Arteta’s decision to bench Bukayo Saka and hand a rare cameo to Ethan Nwaneri will raise eyebrows, especially with such high stakes in play.
Goals & Highlights
- 3rd Minute – Jakub Kiwior heads in from a Martin Odegaard free-kick.
- 27th Minute – Eberechi Eze equalizes with a sensational volley off the post.
- 38th Minute – Leandro Trossard restores Arsenal’s lead with a well-taken finish.
- 83rd Minute – Jean-Philippe Mateta equalizes with a stunning chip.
Watch all the goals and highlights on our Match Centre ➝
What This Means for Arsenal and Palace
For Arsenal, it’s now Champions League or bust. They must rally their energy and focus to take down PSG, having dismantled Real Madrid in the previous round. Anything less than a final in Munich would now feel like failure.
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For Crystal Palace, who face Aston Villa in an FA Cup semifinal this weekend, this performance injects confidence and belief. Coach Glasner, who had earlier voiced concerns over the fixture schedule, made key rotations and was still able to get a result—thanks to performances from Eze, Wharton, and the electric Mateta.
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