Oliver Glasner’s squad shifts focus toward European silverware, warning the Gunners that Selhurst Park remains a battleground for momentum rather than a stage for deciding another team's fate.
Crystal Palace have made clear they are not viewing next weekend’s meeting with Arsenal as a chance to decide the Premier League title race.
Arsenal travel to Selhurst Park on the final day of the season still fighting Manchester City for the title. Mikel Arteta’s side know the equation is in their hands, with two wins from their final two league matches enough to secure a first Premier League title since 2004.
The trip to Palace comes before Arsenal’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, but it is also a significant fixture for the home side. Oliver Glasner’s team are preparing for their Europa Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano just a few days later.
That means Palace have their own priorities going into the final week. Speaking after Palace’s 2-2 draw with Brentford, Adam Wharton insisted the players are not focused on the impact they could have on Arsenal or Manchester City.
“We're not deciding the title next week, there have been 37 games this season,” Wharton said. “We have another game a few days after [the Conference League final].
“We're not looking at trying to beat them so that they don't win [the title]. That is none of our concern. We are focusing on ourselves and making sure we're in the right position for the following Wednesday.”
That stance was echoed by Glasner, who stressed that Palace are not responsible for either club in the title race. The Austrian also pointed to the importance of Palace’s final home game of the season and the need to use it as preparation for their European final.
“We just think what is best for us,” Glasner said. “We are not responsible for Arsenal or Manchester City. It is the last game at Selhurst [Park], so it is a big game for our fans and we need this game for top preparation for the [Conference League] final on the Wednesday.”
Glasner also said Palace want to “keep our standard high” against Arsenal, while managing minutes before the final in Leipzig.
Before any of that, Arsenal still have Burnley to face on Monday night. A win at the Emirates would move Arteta’s side five points clear of Manchester City, albeit having played one game more, and leave them knowing exactly what is required at Selhurst Park on the final day.
Palace’s comments do not make that final fixture any less complicated. They may not be motivated by stopping Arsenal or helping City, but they still have their own reasons to approach the game seriously.
It is their final home match of the season, their last competitive outing before a European final, and a chance to keep rhythm before one of the biggest nights in the club’s history.
If the title race reaches the final day still in their hands, the job will be simple enough in theory: go to Selhurst Park and make sure nobody else gets a say.