Champions Arsenal finish season strong with win over Palace | OneFootball

Arsenal had to endure a nervy finish but ultimately held on to beat Crystal Palace 2-1, extending their strong title-winning campaign with another victory at Selhurst Park.

With both teams rotating heavily and prioritising upcoming fixtures, Arsenal still settled the quicker and created the better openings in the first half. Gabriel Jesus, however, was wasteful early on, spurning a couple of presentable chances before finally making the breakthrough just before the interval, finishing off a slick passing move to put the visitors ahead.

After the restart, Noni Madueke added a second for the champions, reacting sharply inside the area after Palace failed to deal with a corner. At that stage Arsenal were in control and cruising towards another routine win.

Palace improved after making changes, though, and gave themselves hope when Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled one back late on with a well-taken header. That set up a tense closing spell, and the home crowd thought they had salvaged a point when Yeremy Pino turned in a stoppage-time effort.

However, VAR intervened to rule the goal out for offside interference in the build-up, sparing Arsenal a dramatic late setback.

Despite the wobble, Mikel Arteta’s side saw it out to record their 26th league win of the season and finish their campaign on a positive note as champions.

Incidents: The story of the match

Crystal Palace Official Line-ups:

Dean Henderson, Nathaniel Clyne, Daniel Muñoz, Chadi Riad, Jefferson Lerma, Daichi Kamada, Justin Devenny, Rio Cardines, Will Hughes, Ismaila Sarr, Strand Larsen

Arsenal Official Line-ups:

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Piero Hincapié, Cristhian Mosquera, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Riccardo Calafiori, Christian Norgaard, Max Dowman, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli

1':

The match begins

Gabriel Jesus scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva.

42':

GOAL Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) scores!

Gabriel Jesus scores goal number 3 in the competition (14 matches) Gabriel Jesus scores goal number 33 for his team (124 matches)

Noni Madueke scores, making it 2-0.

48':

GOAL Arsenal: Noni Madueke (Arsenal) scores!

Noni Madueke scores goal number 2 in the competition (26 matches) Noni Madueke scores goal number 8 for his team (43 matches)

89':

GOAL Crystal Palace: Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) scores!

Jean-Philippe Mateta scores goal number 12 in the competition (32 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match