Mikel Arteta lamented his side’s lack of consistency as Arsenal twice led but were pegged back both times in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Wednesday.
Jakub Kiwior had given the Gunners the early advantage with a header but Eberechi Eze’s bouncing volley from the edge of the box levelled things up.
Leandro Trossard then found the net to restore the advantage for Arteta’s side before the break but the visitors again drew level in the second half courtesy of a neat chipped finish from Jean-Philippe Mateta after an error from William Saliba.
The result has only delayed Liverpool’s seemingly inevitable title celebrations, with Arne Slot’s team now needing just a single point from five games to secure the club’s 20th Premier League crown.
For both Arsenal and Palace, their attention will now shift to their respective cup semi-final matches. Oliver Glasner’s men travel to Wembley on Saturday to face Aston Villa for a place in the FA Cup final, while Arteta’s team welcome PSG in the first-leg of the Champions League last four on Tuesday.
A point apiece at Emirates Stadium ⚖️
Attentions turn to the Champions League next Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/7AZ3zfs4mW
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 23, 2025
And while the result is likely to have little bearing on both Arsenal and Palace’s respective campaigns, the Gunners boss was no less displeased by his team’s showing.
“We are disappointed with the result and with the performance. We didn’t find enough consistency in our actions to earn the right to completely dominate the game,” Arteta said.
“We started to give sloppy balls away and we dropped the standards in certain defensive habits as well.
“It’s part of football, and it cost us two points.”
Asked if his players could be forgiven for having their eye on the upcoming clash with PSG, Arteta remained forthright in his answer.
“No, because we require the consistency to in every competition that we play in to be out best.
“Today I think they [Palace] were very organised and they deserve the credit but as well we have to be critical of ourselves and look what we have to do better.
Speaking about the need for his team to rule out individual errors ahead of what he called “the most important game of the season” against PSG, Arteta added: “Yes for sure. That’s going to cost you points. But they [mistakes] are a part of football. It’s damaging but I think we have to accept that when we play these things can happen.
“Now we need to recover, get the energy back and full focus on that game.”
