Arsenal closed out their Premier League title campaign with a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park, a ground that once unnerved them but on this final afternoon reflected their blend of resilience and control. Crystal Palace, safely lodged in 15th under Oliver Glasner, could not spoil the champions’ finish as Mikel Arteta’s side stitched together a fifth consecutive victory.
Arteta persisted with the 4-2-3-1 that has anchored this run, asking teenagers Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman to steer the midfield against Palace’s 3-4-2-1. Arsenal quickly found their passing rhythm, and Gabriel Martinelli repeatedly drifted infield from the left to unsettle Nathaniel Clyne.
The breakthrough arrived in the 42nd minute when Martinelli wriggled away from Clyne and slipped a pass for Gabriel Jesus to steer home. Martinelli completed 26 of 27 passes on the night, his precision forcing Palace’s wing-backs ever deeper.
Half-time brought sweeping changes. Glasner introduced Tyrick Mitchell, Yéremy Pino and Adam Wharton in search of fresh energy, while Arteta answered with a double change as Kai Havertz replaced Christian Nørgaard and Gabriel Magalhães took over from Riccardo Calafiori. The impact was instant: in the 48th minute Havertz threaded a pass for Noni Madueke to double the lead.
Palace mustered just eight shots—and none from outside the box—as Lewis-Skelly patrolled the passing lanes and Havertz floated into half-spaces. Glasner later summoned Evann Guessand on 62 minutes for added directness, only for Arteta to counter immediately by introducing Mikel Merino for Dowman. Jesus collected a yellow card for a foul in the 74th minute before making way for former Palace favourite Eberechi Eze a minute later to warm applause from the home support.
Palace kept pushing. Pino’s incision from the right and Jean-Philippe Mateta’s power off the bench finally told when the striker converted Pino’s cross in the 89th minute, trimming the deficit but not denying Arsenal a composed finish to the campaign. Viktor Gyökeres’ late introduction helped the visitors see out the closing seconds.
Key statistics:
- Possession: Crystal Palace 39 percent, Arsenal 61 percent
- Shots: Crystal Palace 8, Arsenal 17
- Shots on target: Crystal Palace 3, Arsenal 7
- Expected goals: Crystal Palace 1.10, Arsenal 2.40
- Saves: Dean Henderson 5, Kepa Arrizabalaga 2
Arsenal end the season on 85 points, seven clear of Manchester City, with a goal difference of plus 44—a profile befitting champions who have married style and steel. Palace, winless in five, will look to build on Pino’s spark as they consider summer reinforcements to avoid another year glancing downward.
Next comes the summer of scrutiny. Arsenal will plot how to defend their crown, while Palace weigh their next steps. Elsewhere in the division, Parker’s Pragmatists vs Pereira’s Press: Turf Moor Decider for Premier League Cellar, Survival scrap: West Ham chase miracle while Leeds eye top-half push, and Brighton Chase Europe as Amorim’s In-Form United Target Fifth Straight Win at the Amex frame the battles beyond north London’s celebratory mood.
