Arsenal kept Liverpool's Premier League title-winning champagne on ice but only just as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Crystal Palace.
First-half goals by Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard looked like being enough for a lacklustre Arsenal against a lively Palace side who equalised with an Eberechi Eze volley.
But there was a late twist as Palace substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta produced a superb chipped finish over Arsenal keeper David Raya in the 83rd minute.
The draw left second-placed Arsenal on 67 points from 34 games with Liverpool on 79 from 33. Had Arsenal lost, Liverpool would have won the title on Wednesday but they can now seal it with one point against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Follow all the action from the Emirates below:
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace LIVE
- Arsenal draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace in the Premier League
- The Gunners avoided handing Liverpool the title with a defeat but are 12 points behind the Reds with four games left
- 83' GOAL! Sublime Mateta finish after Saliba mistake brings Palace level (ARS 2-2 CRY)
- 42' GOAL! Trossard puts Gunners back ahead just before half-time (ARS 2-1 CRY)
- 28' GOAL! Eze volleys equaliser from clever corner routine (ARS 1-1 CRY)
- 3' GOAL! Kiwior powers in an early header (ARS 1-0 CRY)
Arsenal FC 2 - 2 Crystal Palace FC
Arsenal held to disappointing Crystal Palace draw but Liverpool title celebrations still on ice
Wednesday 23 April 2025 22:50
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Chris Wilson
Arsenal prevented Liverpool from being crowned Premier League champions without kicking a ball despite conceding a late goal in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.
Mikel Arteta’s players knew that a defeat at the Emirates would see Liverpool take the title, but the home side were ahead inside three minutes through Jakub Kiwior.
Eberechi Eze’s superb volley from a corner hauled Palace level before Leandro Trossard scored his third goal in two matches to restore Arsenal’s advantage.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace LIVE
Wednesday 23 April 2025 17:28
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Chris Wilson
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
The Gunners are simply playing to delay the Liverpool title party at the moment but Mikel Arteta will be keen to avid any injuries ahead of the Champions League tie against PSG, while Oliver Glazer’s side are still targeting European football next season.
We’ll have all the latest build-up and team news here.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace LIVE
Wednesday 23 April 2025 17:33
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Chris Wilson
A positive result is a must for Arsenal against Crystal Palace if they are to keep their incredibly faint Premier League title hopes alive.
Liverpool will be crowned champions if the hosts suffer defeat at the Emirates Stadium after a late Trent Alexander-Arnold winner against Leicester kept them 13 points clear of their rivals.
Mikel Arteta’s side have perhaps already switched focus to their continental campaign but looked in excellent form at Ipswich, with a 4-0 win made to look routine even after their Champions League exertions.
Crystal Palace clung on for a draw against Bournemouth with 10 men but have had their push for a top-half finish stalled by a run of three games without a win.
Team news
Wednesday 23 April 2025 17:36
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Chris Wilson
Mikel Arteta kept his changes limited against Ipswich but may freshen up his Arsenal side here. Declan Rice may be due a rest even with Jorginho still absent with a rib injury, while Bukayo Saka could be left on the bench after narrowly avoiding injury after Leif Davis’s tackle on Sunday. Riccardo Calafiori is probably another week away from a return.
Chris Richards is suspended for Crystal Palace following his dismissal for two bookable offences against Bournemouth. With an FA Cup semi-final looming later in the week, Oliver Glasner may also consider some rotation.
Predicted line-ups
Wednesday 23 April 2025 17:41
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Chris Wilson
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, White, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Zinchenko; Nwaneri, Merino, Martinelli.
Crystal Palace XI: Henderson; Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell; Eze, Nketiah, Sarr.
Is the match on TV?
Wednesday 23 April 2025 17:50
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Chris Wilson
When is Arsenal vs Crystal Palace?
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Wednesday 23 April at the Emirates Stadium.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on the channels from 7.30pm BST. Subscribers can stream the action via Sky Go.
Mikel Arteta offers Bukayo Saka injury update after ‘dangerous’ tackle
Wednesday 23 April 2025 18:05
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Chris Wilson
Mikel Arteta said he hopes Leif Davis’ “dangerous” red-card tackle on Bukayo Saka will not stop his star winger from playing in Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Saka was withdrawn just 10 minutes into the second half of Arsenal’s 4-0 win at Ipswich and had an ice pack applied to his right ankle following Davis’ late challenge.
Davis was shown a straight red card and VAR did not intervene with referee Chris Kavanagh’s decision after it was adjudged that the Ipswich defender had “endangered Saka’s safety”.
How Liverpool can win the Premier League on Wednesday
Wednesday 23 April 2025 18:15
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Chris Wilson
Liverpool are within touching distance of securing the Premier League title but Arsenal’s win over Ipswich Town on Easter Sunday delayed the victory parade for at least another week.
The Gunners narrowed the gap at the top to 10 points with a 4-0 thrashing of the Tractor Boys, meaning that victory over Leicester City was not enough to seal the title on Easter Sunday.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side are only able to obtain a maximum of 81 points, with five games left to play. Liverpool are on 79 points, so they now need just three more to make mathematically certain.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta vows to keep Liverpool waiting for title
Wednesday 23 April 2025 18:25
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Chris Wilson
Mikel Arteta has insisted Arsenal will not allow Liverpool the opportunity to be crowned Premier League champions on Easter Sunday.
Liverpool will claim the title with five matches remaining if Arsenal lose against Ipswich at Portman Road and they see off Leicester at the King Power Stadium.
But Arteta, who this week oversaw his side’s progression to the Champions League semi-finals with a stunning 2-1 victory at Real Madrid to complete a 5-1 aggregate triumph, said: “We will make sure that we win the game against Ipswich, and that (Liverpool winning the league) doesn’t happen.”
Team news
Wednesday 23 April 2025 18:35
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Chris Wilson
Here's a reminder of the team news, with the line-ups to be released in around 10 minutes...
Mikel Arteta kept his changes limited against Ipswich but may freshen up his Arsenal side here. Declan Rice may be due a rest even with Jorginho still absent with a rib injury, while Bukayo Saka could be left on the bench after narrowly avoiding injury after Leif Davis’s tackle on Sunday. Riccardo Calafiori is probably another week away from a return.
Chris Richards is suspended for Crystal Palace following his dismissal for two bookable offences against Bournemouth. With an FA Cup semi-final looming later in the week, Oliver Glasner may also consider some rotation.
Line-ups
Wednesday 23 April 2025 18:46
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Chris Wilson
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Sterling, Trossard, Martinelli.
Subs: Neto, Tierney, Saka, Zinchenko, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower, Henry-Francis, Kabia, Nwaneri.
⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 23, 2025
Timber and Lewis-Skelly both return at full-back
⚓️ Partey anchors the midfield
⚡️ Sterling on the wing
Let's do this, Gunners
Line-ups
Wednesday 23 April 2025 18:49
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Chris Wilson
Crystal Palace XI: Henderson; Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell; Devenny, Eze; Nketiah.
Subs: Turner, Ward, Sarr, Franca, Mateta, Clyne, Hughes, Esse, Kporha.
The Palace in yellow #CPFC // #ARSCRY
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 23, 2025
Team news
Wednesday 23 April 2025 18:52
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Chris Wilson
Mikel Arteta makes four changes to the side that beat Ipswich last weekend.
In defence, Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko make way for Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly, while in midfield Mikel Merino drops out for Thomas Partey.
In attack, Bukayo Saka drops to the bench in favour of Raheem Sterling.
Team news
Wednesday 23 April 2025 18:54
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Chris Wilson
For Palace, Glasner makes four changes to the side that drew to Bournemouth last week.
In defence, the suspended Chris Richards makes way for Jefferson Lerma, while in midfield, Will Hughes drops out for Daichi Kamada.
In the attacking positions, Ismaïla Sarr is benched in favour of Justin Devenny, while Jean-Philippe Mateta is rested in favour of ex-Arsenal man Eddie Nketiah.
Mikel Arteta provides injury updates for Arsenal trio a week ahead of Champions League semi-final
Wednesday 23 April 2025 19:05
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Chris Wilson
Some injury news from Arsenal in addition to Saka...
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said there is a “good chance” that Bukayo Saka will feature against Crystal Palace this week, but Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori will be out for the foreseeable future.
Speaking in his pre-match conference ahead of the home fixture on Wednesday, Arteta said that the club will “have to wait and see” how Saka reacts after training, though there “is nothing too serious” despite the winger being withdrawn not long after the red card challenge from Leif Davis.
Match facts
Wednesday 23 April 2025 19:12
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Chris Wilson
Arsenal have won their last five Premier League games against Crystal Palace, netting exactly five goals in both of the last two.
Having been unbeaten in four Premier League away games against Arsenal between 2019 and 2021 (W1 D3), Crystal Palace have lost their two league visits to the Emirates by an aggregate score of 9-1.
Head-to-head
Wednesday 23 April 2025 19:20
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Chris Wilson
These two sides have met a total of 50 times, with Arsenal winning 31, Palace winning five and 14 ending as draws.
Earlier this season, Arsenal ran out 3-2 winners in the Carabao Cup before demolishing Palace 5-1 three days later in the league.
Premier League title permutations
Wednesday 23 April 2025 19:30
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Chris Wilson
A reminder that the Premier League title could be decided tonight.
The permutations are simple – if Arsenal lose, Liverpool will have wrapped up a 20th top-flight title.
A draw or Arsenal win means that the Reds will have the chance to win when they play Spurs at Anfield on Sunday.
Match facts
Wednesday 23 April 2025 19:37
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Chris Wilson
Arsenal have lost just three of their last 36 home Premier League matches (W26 D7), though two of those three have been in London derbies (both against West Ham).
Crystal Palace have won their last two away Premier League London derbies, beating West Ham and Fulham 2-0 each time. That’s more wins than in their previous 22 away London derbies combined (W1 D11 L10).
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace LIVE
Wednesday 23 April 2025 19:45
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Chris Wilson
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace LIVE
Wednesday 23 April 2025 19:50
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Chris Wilson
Just 10 minutes until kick-off at the Emirates.
Will we see the Premier League title won tonight?
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace LIVE
Wednesday 23 April 2025 19:55
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Chris Wilson
The teams are in the tunnel at the Emirates, so we’re around five minutes from kick-off.
It’s a fairly strong team fielded by Mikel Arteta, and he’ll want them to get a good dress rehearsal in for the PSG game in a week’s time.
KICK-OFF! Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:01
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Chris Wilson
We’re underway in north London! It’s fairly subdued at the Emirates right now – you get the feeling the Gunners have an eye on next week.
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:02
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Chris Wilson
1 min
Palace, of course, have their own semi-final to look ahead to this weekend, which may explain why some key players are on the bench to begin with. They face Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Saturday.
It’s a pedestrian start at the Emirates, with the hosts in possession.
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:04
3 mins
GOAL! But the Gunners are ahead early!
And it’s a lovely header from Jakub Kiwior!
Odegaard swings in a free-kick to around 12 yards out and Kiwior rises high to power in a perfect header at the near post!
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:06
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Chris Wilson
5 mins
That’s Kiwior’s first goal since February 2024!
At the other end, a cheap foul on the wing gives Palace a chance to swing in the set-piece, but Kiwior heads away before the visitors win a corner.
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:07
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Chris Wilson
6 mins
Half a chance for Palace as Munoz gets onto the end of a diagonal ball in, but his cross is straight to Raya.
Arsenal counter, led by Martinelli, but the Brazilian can only dribble out of play.
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:08
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Chris Wilson
8 mins
Odegaard’s pass runs straight to Devenny and Palace have a chance to get forward, and the chance ends with Kamada’s volleyed effort being deflected past the far post.
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:09
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Chris Wilson
9 mins
Nketiah meets the set-piece but he heads well wide.
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:11
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Chris Wilson
11 mins
Half a chance for Rice now as it bounces up nicely and he rifles a half-volley wide. Good tempo to the game so far, which is a little surprising.
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:15
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Chris Wilson
14 mins
Both sides have settled pretty well, though Arsenal of course look very comfortable.
At least, they do until Nketiah latches onto Eze’s long ball and catches Raya out of position, with Devenny very close to turning in the former Arsenal striker’s cross.
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:20
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Chris Wilson
17 mins
Both sides are looking comfortable in possession too, though it’s Palace who need to force the issue.
They’ve had some promising attacks too, and have found ways through the Arsenal defence on occasion.
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:21
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Chris Wilson
20 mins
Devenny and Munoz combine to lead a good Palace counter but it’s stopped before Sterling’s cross at the other end runs to Henderson.
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:24
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Chris Wilson
23 mins
Plenty of possession for Arsenal but not a lot of penetration so far since the goal. Martinelli is unsurprisingly at the forefront of much of the attacking play.
There’s half a chance for the Gunners too, as Sterling exchanges passes with Odegaard before laying it off to Rice, who fires a great half-volley just past the near post.
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:27
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Chris Wilson
26 mins
An understandably subdued game overall so far. Not many challenges flying in, as you’d expect.
Palace are still probing though as Nketiah almost latches onto a through ball before Kamada wins a corner off Rice.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:29
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Chris Wilson
27 mins
GOAL! What a finish that is!
It’s a simple corner routine but the finish is far from easy.
The corner is floated in to Eze in the ‘D’ and he volleys into the ground, with the ball coming off the inside of the post and nestling in the far corner! Perfect.
Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:31
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Chris Wilson
29 mins
Two brilliant goals so far tonight, though Eze’s is the notable one. One of the goals of the season probably.
Palace are looking to capitalise on their pressure here as Eze picks up the ball in the box and feeds Nketiah, who rolls Kiwior initially before the Polish defender recovers to block the shot from point-blank range!
Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:32
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Chris Wilson
31 mins
Another cheeky effort from Eze, who opens his body up and almost allows the ball to bounce onto his foot (rather than hitting it himself) but the effort flies over.
Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:37
35 mins
A little more subdued here now as Arsenal look to regain control.
Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:39
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Chris Wilson
38 mins
Nothing comes of an Arsenal free-kick but the Gunners are the ones applying the pressure as we approach the final five minutes of the half.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:44
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Chris Wilson
42 mins
GOAL! Another brilliant goal at the Emirates!
It all starts with good work from Timber, who picks it up on the right before skipping past a challenge and fizzing it into Trossard in the box. He weaves between the challenges from Lacroix and Lerma and squeezes the shot away, and it deflects off Lacroix and into the bottom corner!
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:45
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Chris Wilson
44 mins
Arsenal looking for another one right away as Trossard’s ball towards Sterling is turned behind by Guehi.
From the set-piece, the ball is headed back across goal but Palace eventually clear.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:46
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Chris Wilson
45 mins
Half a chance for Palace now as Kamada lays it off to Guehi, who sees a promising curled effort blocked by Kiwior.
We’ll have two minutes of added time here.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:48
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Chris Wilson
45 +1 mins
Martinelli tries to poke past henderson as he beat the ‘keeper to a long ball, but it’s straight to him (and the offside flag went up).
Moments later, Rice is booked for bringing down Nketiah.
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:49
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Chris Wilson
A final chance as Eze’s free-kick is headed away by Lewis-Skelly, and the referee brings the half to an end.
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:53
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 20:57
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Chris Wilson
A surprisingly entertaining half in north London, with a decent tempo to the game and plenty of quality from both sides.
Arsenal are ahead after two good goals, with the outstanding moment being Eze’s volleyed equaliser.
Palace aren’t out of this yet, but the Liverpool title party will be delayed by a few days at this rate.
KICK-OFF! Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:05
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Chris Wilson
We’re back underway at the Emirates!
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:06
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Chris Wilson
46 mins
Half a chance right away for Arsenal as they get in behind the Palace defence but the cross is headed away. Decent start.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:08
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Chris Wilson
48 mins
Free-kick chance for Arsenal and a yellow card for Devenny as he brings down Lewis-Skelly.
Odegaard floats the ball in and after some pinball in the box, the ref blows for a foul on Henderson.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:11
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Chris Wilson
50 mins
Henderson stayed down briefly but he’s okay to carry on.
Timber looks like he may have a problem here too though.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:12
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Chris Wilson
52 mins
Wasteful from Odegaard as he receives a great pass on the edge of the box but is to hesitant.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:15
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Chris Wilson
55 mins
And wasteful from Nketiah now as he leads the Palace counter but simply loses control of the ball as he gets to the Arsenal box.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:18
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Chris Wilson
58 mins
Almost some shaky ‘keeping from Raya as he flaps at the cross from deep but just about takes it off the approaching Palace player’s foot.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:19
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Chris Wilson
60 mins
A popular sub as Bukayo Saka comes on for Sterling.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:22
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Chris Wilson
62 mins
A vital intervention from Lerma to stop Trossard’s through ball finding an unmarked Martinelli.
Palace make two changes as Eze comes off for Ismaila Sarr and Will Hughes replaces Wharton.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:25
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Chris Wilson
64 mins
Great chance for Palace as Sarr makes the space for a cross and finds an unmarked Devenny, but the youngster makes a mess of his header and Raya tips over.
From the corner, Guehi forces a decent save too.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:27
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Chris Wilson
66 mins
More pressure from Palace as Nketiah misses the bicycle kick attempt before Mitchell wins a corner.
From the set-piece, Munoz heads back across goal and Raya misses it, but it bounces harmlessly pass the far post.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:30
70 mins
The ball is in the net but it’s disallowed!
Odegaard clips the ball over for Timber and he hooks it over Henderson, and Martinelli is there to tap in!
It’ll be checked!
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:32
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Chris Wilson
72 mins
It was all very subdued when it happened, as if nobody really knew what was happening. Probably because the offside flag went up eventually.
VAR are checking if the ball was out of play when Timber hooked it back in.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:33
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Chris Wilson
73 mins
It was indeed out of play according to VAR. Disallowed, and we’re back to 2-1.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:36
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Chris Wilson
75 mins
No lack of ambition from Palace here, though Mitchell’s cross is a little too tame and Raya collects.
More subs being prepared by Glasner here.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:38
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Chris Wilson
78 mins
Plenty more possession for the Gunners but no way though the Palace defence yet as Odegaard’s effort from range is blocked.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:40
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Chris Wilson
80 mins
What a save this is!
Odegaard beats Hughes and lays it to Martinelli, who skips past the defender and hangs up a great cross to Saka.
The winger’s volley looks like it takes a deflection and it forces Henderson into a great flying save.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:41
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Chris Wilson
81 mins
From the corner, Trossard heads straight into the side-netting.
Subs for Palace as Nketiah and Devenny make way for Mateta and Esse.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:44
83 mins
GOAL! Oh that is world class from Mateta!
It’s opened up for him but fair play to the Frenchman.
Saliba sells Odegaard short and Mateta pounces, shrugging off the challenge from the Norwegian.
He’s spotted Raya off his line and he chips a perfect effort over the ‘keeper, with the ball clipping the underside of the crossbar and it nestles in the back of the net.
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:45
86 mins
Still time for Palace to do Liverpool a favour here, though you feel Reds fans might prefer to win it at Anfield at the weekend.
Arsenal in possession at the moment, with Mitchell cutting out a through ball meant for Saka.
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:46
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Chris Wilson
87 mins
Subs for Arsenal as Ethan Nwaneri and Kieran Tierney come on for Odegaard and Lewis-Skelly.
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:48
88 mins
Both sides seem to be hunting a winner here, with Munoz’s ball forward cut out at the last.
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace
Wednesday 23 April 2025 21:50
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