Liverpool stand on the cusp of Premier League glory after Arsenal’s faltering 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace left Mikel Arteta’s side 12 points adrift with just four matches remaining. The disappointing result all but confirms the title for Arne Slot’s in-form Liverpool, who can mathematically clinch the crown by avoiding defeat against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.
Arteta Admits Energy Levels Are Low
Arteta’s men were aiming to build momentum ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain, but instead delivered a lethargic performance that raised fresh concerns. Speaking after the match, the Arsenal boss admitted his team looked out of sorts and emphasized the urgent need to “get our energy back” before next week’s European showdown.
“We’re disappointed with the result and performance,” Arteta said. “We didn’t show the consistency needed to control the game. Palace were very organized and deserved credit, but we dropped our standards in key moments.”
A Familiar Pattern of Collapse
The Gunners struck early through Jakub Kiwior’s header in the third minute, but Eberechi Eze responded with a smart volley for Palace midway through the first half. Although Leandro Trossard restored Arsenal’s lead before the break, a late lapse saw Jean-Philippe Mateta capitalize on a defensive mix-up to lob home an 83rd-minute equalizer.
It was a familiar story for Arsenal, who have now drawn nine league matches in which they held the lead—more than any side in a single campaign since Tottenham in 2007-08. This inability to see out matches has been a recurring issue and a major factor in their title collapse.
Injuries Pile Up Ahead of PSG Clash
Arteta, who remains focused on Europe, acknowledged the challenges ahead. “We gave the ball away in simple ways, we were late in our decisions. We’ve got the most important game of the season in six days, and we need to get our energy back.”
Injuries are compounding Arsenal’s woes, with Mikel Merino, repurposed as a striker due to injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, missing the Palace game. His fitness, along with that of defender Ben White, remains uncertain ahead of the PSG clash.
Eyes on European Redemption
While Arsenal’s league ambitions are effectively over, they will now channel all efforts into ending their 19-year wait for Champions League success. Arteta insisted the team’s focus wasn’t distracted by their European aspirations but admitted the extended break before facing PSG will be beneficial for his depleted squad.
Palace Show Resilience Ahead of FA Cup Semi
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace, with one eye on their upcoming FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa, still managed to put in a resilient and organized performance. Manager Oliver Glasner, who rested key players, praised his team’s resolve: “It was not our goal to decide the title. Our goal was to win the game. A draw is a very good result, and more important is the performance. We are back on the track.”
What Might Have Been for Arsenal
With Liverpool surging towards a record-equalling 20th English title, Arsenal must now regroup and hope to salvage their season with silverware on the European stage. But after another costly slip, the Gunners are once again left reflecting on what might have been.
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