Draw at home all but confirms his side will finish second for the third year running.

Arsenal’s Premier League title race is all but over after Crystal Palace came from behind twice to draw at the Emirates last night.  

The Gunners were already 13 points adrift of leaders Liverpool before the game, and Mikel Arteta’s side knew they had to avoid defeat to prolong the title race until at least Sunday.  

And they took that intention with them onto the pitch, Jakub Kiwior rose highest to convert a Martin Ødegaard cross to put Arsenal in front after just three minutes.  

However, Palace didn’t let this early set back burden them and had a steady flow of chances throughout the first half.  

And their efforts were rewarded in the 27th minute when Eberiche Eze volleyed a Palace corner off the post and past David Raya into the net to stun the Emirates into silence.  

Arteta’s men needed a response, especially after Kiwior blocked former gunner Eddie Nketiah’s shot on the goaline.  

They would get it three minutes before the break, Leondro Trossard was on hand to slot it into the corner of Dean Henderson’s goal to give his side a half time lead.  

The game never felt like it was truly in Arsenal’s grasp though after they came back out from the break. Plenty of possession but not much after that.  

 The eagles created plenty of chances in the few moments they got forward, even after the scare of a disallowed goal for Arsenal, the ball was out of play before Gabriel Martinelli converted.  

With the clock counting down however it felt as if the games big chances had passed Palace by. 

That is until William Saliba gifted possession in his defensive third to substitute Jean-Phillipe Mateta who skilfully lofted the ball from outside the penalty area into the net. 

Both sides could’ve scored a winner. Mateta fired a cross into the box towards fellow substitute Ismaila Sarr who had his shot blocked, minutes later Martinelli was through but couldn’t find the target.  

For Crystal Palace it’s one point gained, for Arsenal however, it is one point now until another title race slips away from their grasp. 

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Image Credit – @arsenal on Instagram

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