Crystal Palace dealt a major blow to Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes with a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium, as Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late equalizer capitalized on a defensive blunder and brought Liverpool to within a single point of the championship.

Arsenal began the game with intensity, taking the lead just three minutes in through Jakub Kiwior’s well-placed header from a corner. The early advantage boosted the home side’s confidence, but Crystal Palace showed resilience and equalized in the 27th minute when Eberechi Eze volleyed in from a corner to silence the crowd.

Leandro Trossard restored Arsenal’s lead before halftime with a composed finish after a swift attacking move, sending the Gunners into the break with renewed belief. Mikel Arteta’s side looked on course for a vital win as they dominated possession and created chances in the second half, but their inability to kill off the game proved costly.

The turning point came in the 83rd minute. Under little pressure, William Saliba played a poor back pass which was intercepted by Mateta. The Palace striker coolly chipped the onrushing David Raya to score the equalizer and stun the Emirates faithful.

The draw leaves Arsenal on 67 points after 34 matches, while Liverpool, with 79 points and a game in hand, now need just a draw in their next match against Tottenham Hotspur to seal their 20th top-flight title. For Arsenal, the result is a painful setback in a title race that once looked within reach.

After the match, Mikel Arteta admitted his side had lost focus at key moments. “We gave them goals. We made mistakes. When you're in a title race, those moments are decisive,” he said.

While Arsenal now look to regroup ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain, Crystal Palace will be buoyed by the performance as they head into their FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa. Oliver Glasner’s side showed determination and tactical discipline, and Mateta’s late heroics ensured they left north London with a valuable point.