Do not offer the title to Liverpool, and make a dress rehearsal a week before receiving Paris Saint-Germain. These are probably the two key points in the heads of Arsenal this Wednesday evening against Crystal Palace. This is evidenced by the team composition, where Mikel Arteta took Leandro Trossard in place of Mikel Merino, the Belgian being expected as a holder with the suspension of Thomas Party, who will force the European champion to find a midfielder. Opposite, Crystal Palace came with a slightly altered team, with a semi-final of FA Cup Capitale against Aston Villa this weekend.
And from the first minutes, we thought that there was only one team actually concerned by this meeting. On a perfect free kick from Odegaard and a combination like Arsenal has accustomed us to execute them, Jakub Kiwior cuts the trajectory of the head ball, and opens the score in front of a dumbfounded Henderson (1-0, 3rd). But while we imagined that this goal was going to launch a quiet evening for the Gunners, we saw some defensive approximations from Saliba and Lewis-Skelly who could have benefited in Kamada (7th) and Nketiah (14th). Finally, Arsenal will be punished with its laxity by a sublime strike from Eberchi Eze, at the reception of a corner subtly played behind by Wharton (1-1, 27th).
Realistic but dominated arsenal
An equalization that had the merit of waking up the men of Mikel Arteta, which we saw more applied and concentrated after the purpose of the English international. And if Eddie Nketiah had created a good opportunity shortly after the purpose of a subtle crossed head, it is Leandro Trossard who will return the advantage to his, on one of the rare balls he touched on his unusual scorer position (2-1, 42nd). In the second half, the Eagles will return with much better intentions than their opponents, well helped by the energizing entry of the former Rennais Ismaïla Sarr. Palace will even afford an equalization ball, but Munoz's dismayed head will spin in front of the goal and pass to the right of the Raya cages (67th). The return of Bukayo Saka will put the premises back on good rails, the English international winger even going close to the third goal, but his recovery at close range is pushed by Henderson (80th).
But, as against Real Madrid, it is an error by William Saliba who will make the Gunners crack. On a disagreement with Odegaard, the Frenchman offers on a set the goal open to Mateta, who has not hesitated to strike since thirty meters to equalize (2-2, 83rd). At the end of the meeting, Crystal Palace could even have definitively sink the premises, but the center of Mateta flees in front of Ismaïla Sarr (90+2nd). With this draw, Arsenal leaves Liverpool to twelve points, and will force them to play for their title this Sunday in Anfield against Tottenham. The Gunners mainly resume six points ahead of Manchester City, winner yesterday, which represents a very light mattress in the race in second place. But one thing is certain: it will be necessary to do better against the band at Luis Enrique in six days.
