Palace 1-2 Arsenal: Gunners Round Off Title-Winning Season With Win

Arsenal completed their Premier League title-winning season with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, with Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke scoring before Jean-Philippe Mateta set up a tense final few minutes.

With the title already secured, Mikel Arteta used the final league fixture to rest several senior players before next Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Oliver Glasner had an even shorter turnaround to manage, with Palace preparing to face Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday.

The changes created an opportunity for Max Dowman, who became the youngest player ever to start a Premier League match at 16 years and 144 days. It was another landmark in a breakthrough season for the Hale End youngster, who had already become the competition’s youngest goalscorer and youngest title winner.

Arsenal started with the greater intensity and almost led inside four minutes. Jesus struck the post from the left side of the area before Dean Henderson denied Madueke moments later. Henderson was required again in the 11th minute, saving from Jesus after the forward had been released by Madueke.

Palace then registered their first significant threat when Daniel Muñoz headed Rio Cardines’ delivery towards goal, forcing Kepa Arrizabalaga into a save.

Arsenal continued to create the better openings. Jesus headed narrowly wide from a Madueke cross, while the England winger had efforts blocked as the visitors pushed for a breakthrough their first-half play deserved.

It arrived in the 42nd minute. Martinelli found Jesus inside the penalty area and the Brazil forward guided a right-footed finish into the bottom corner, giving Arsenal a lead shortly before the interval.

Both managers made changes at half-time with their respective European finals in mind. Arteta sent on Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhães for Christian Nørgaard and Riccardo Calafiori, while Palace introduced Adam Wharton, Tyrick Mitchell and Yéremy Pino.

Arsenal doubled their lead only three minutes after the restart. A corner was headed back across goal by Havertz and Madueke reacted inside the area, finishing low into the bottom corner for 2-0. It was another example of the set-piece strength that has been central to Arsenal’s championship campaign.

Palace improved after the break, with Pino adding energy from the bench and Jørgen Strand Larsen sending an effort narrowly wide. Arteta was also able to hand Mikel Merino minutes on his return from injury, with the midfielder replacing Dowman after 62 minutes. Eberechi Eze later came on against his former club, replacing Jesus.

Glasner introduced Mateta for the final stages and the striker gave Palace hope in the 89th minute, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and turning what had appeared a comfortable Arsenal win into a difficult finish.

Palace then believed they had levelled in added time, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Arsenal survived the late scare to secure a final victory of the league season and finish top of the table on 85 points, seven clear of Manchester City.

Palace now turn immediately to their European final in Leipzig. Arsenal leave Selhurst Park as Premier League champions, with the chance to add the Champions League to their title-winning season when they face PSG in Budapest.