Liverpool are just one step away from clinching the Premier League title after Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
Arne Slot’s men had been watching closely, hoping for a Gunners defeat that would have confirmed their status as champions.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s 83rd-minute equaliser dealt the final blow to Arsenal’s hopes of catching the Reds, who now need just one more result to go their way.
Liverpool are 12 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, who have just four games left and an inferior goal difference of +34 compared to the leaders’ +44.
The Reds, who have five matches remaining, will be assured of matching the 20 titles won by bitter rivals Manchester United if they avoid defeat against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.
While the champagne remains on ice for Slot’s men, it is only a matter of time before Liverpool finish their relentless march to the title after Arsenal’s third draw in their last four league games.
Jakub Kiwior put the Gunners ahead early on but Eberechi Eze equalised for Palace.
Leandro Trossard restored Arsenal’s advantage before half-time, only for Mateta to come off the bench and bag a sublime leveller with seven minutes left.
Arsenal had delayed Liverpool’s celebrations by routing Ipswich 4-0 on Sunday, when a defeat for the Gunners and a Reds win over Leicester would have ended the title race.
Mikel Arteta’s team again kept Liverpool waiting a few days longer, but their real focus was already on Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal will be making their first Champions League last-four appearance since 2009 when they host the French club in the first leg.
Arteta had insisted he would not rest his stars against Palace with a view to protecting them for the PSG showdown.
But he opted to leave Bukayo Saka on the bench after the England winger was left limping by a foul from Ipswich’s Leif Davis last weekend, with Mikel Merino and Ben White not fit to feature.
– Title within touching distance –
With Palace facing an FA Cup semi-final clash against Aston Villa on Saturday, Oliver Glasner started without key forwards Mateta and Ismaila Sarr.
Arsenal looked set to take advantage of Palace’s Wembley distraction when they went in front after just three minutes.
It was another success for Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover as they scored from a well-worked dead-ball routine for a Premier League leading 16th time this season.
Martin Odegaard whipped a free-kick into the Palace area and Kiwior was left completely unmarked to power his header past Dean Henderson from 12 yards.
The Poland defender’s first league goal since February 2024 was almost followed by an immediate Palace equaliser as David Raya saved Daniel Munoz’s volley from an acute angle.
So switched on when attacking from set-pieces, Arsenal were caught out from one when Palace equalised in the 27th minute.
Adam Wharton picked out the unmarked Eze on the edge of the area and the England midfielder’s agile volley went in off the post after bouncing past an unsighted Raya.
Trossard put Arsenal back ahead in the 42nd minute as the Belgian took Jurrien Timber’s pass and deftly evaded two Palace defenders before clipping a deflected finish into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
Arteta took a risk by sending on Saka for the last half an hour, but it was Palace were on the offensive as Justin Devenny’s header was tipped over by Raya.
Henderson made a brilliant save to push Saka’s volley over and Palace took advantage of that escape to snatch an 83rd-minute equaliser.
William Saliba carelessly conceded possession, and Mateta pounced to chip a superb finish over the out-of-position Raya from 30 yards to leave Liverpool within touching distance of the title.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
This season has highlighted the fine margins that often define championship races in top-flight football. Liverpool’s consistency, resilience, and ability to close out matches have given them the edge in one of the most demanding campaigns in recent memory.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s recent dip in form—three draws in four league matches—has underlined how momentum can quickly shift.
With key games and European commitments piling up, squad management and mental endurance are just as important as technical skill. What we’re witnessing is a reminder of how unpredictable and dramatic football can be.
For supporters, it’s a mix of anticipation, anxiety, and elation as the final stretch of the season plays out. Whether a fan of Liverpool, Arsenal, or the Premier League as a whole, this title race serves as a powerful example of sport’s ability to deliver compelling narratives and emotional highs and lows.
With only a few matches left, the smallest decisions on or off the pitch could determine who lifts the trophy—and who is left wondering what might have been.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM VERILY NEWS
