In a candid post-match reflection, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the pressing need for his team to regain their "energy" ahead of their pivotal Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). This statement followed a disappointing 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace that left Liverpool tantalizingly close to clinching the Premier League title.

Arsenal was eager to build momentum as they prepared for their first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2009. The opportunity to secure a win at the Emirates Stadium, however, slipped away in a match that was marked by inconsistencies and missed chances. It began promisingly for the Gunners when Jakub Kiwior found the net with a header just three minutes into the game. Yet, their early lead was short-lived as Eberechi Eze equalized with a well-timed volley in the 27th minute.

As the match approached half-time, Leandro Trossard restored Arsenal's lead with a strike that seemed to set the stage for a much-needed victory. However, the joy was again short-lived as Palace substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta executed a stunning lob over the out-of-position Arsenal keeper, David Raya, in the 83rd minute. This equalizer not only dampened Arsenal's spirits but also highlighted their inability to maintain control in critical moments.

Currently sitting in second place, Arsenal finds itself a daunting 12 points behind Liverpool, who could secure the Premier League title with a victory over Tottenham in their next match. With only four league games remaining, Arsenal's hopes for the championship were effectively dashed weeks ago, firmly redirecting their focus toward the Champions League, a trophy they have never won.

Arteta voiced his disappointment with both the result and the team's overall performance, emphasizing the lack of consistency that hindered their ability to dominate the match. "We are disappointed with the result and performance. We didn't find enough consistency in actions to dominate the game," Arteta remarked. He further acknowledged Palace's organization and credited them for their performance, but he also stressed that Arsenal needed to elevate their standards.

Adding to the challenges facing Arsenal, midfielder Mikel Merino sustained an injury that sidelined him for the Palace match and raises doubts about his availability for the upcoming clash against PSG. Merino, who has stepped up as an effective makeshift striker in light of injuries to established forwards Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, is crucial to Arsenal's attacking strategies. When questioned about Merino's and defender Ben White's fitness, Arteta stated, "We will have to wait and see as they were not able to be in the squad here.

This draw marked Arsenal's ninth league draw this season, a statistic that underscores their struggles to finish games they have led. With 13 draws from 34 league matches, they have set a record for the most draws in a single season since Tottenham in 2007-08. This inability to close out games has propelled Liverpool to the brink of securing their 20th English title.

Looking ahead, Arsenal's aspirations are firmly fixed on the Champions League, aiming to end a five-year trophy drought with a memorable victory. Arteta emphasized that despite the looming opportunity to reach the final for the first time since 2006, the focus remains on their upcoming performance against PSG. "We have spoken about avoiding our focus being elsewhere. We have enough time to prepare for PSG, but today we didn't deliver enough to win the game," he pointed out. He added that the team would benefit from the extended break before facing PSG, given the current injury crisis. "We need players back to full strength. We have so many players out and not available, and therefore you drop certain standards. We have the most important game of the season in six days. We need to get our energy back," he stressed.

On the other side of the pitch, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner was pleased with his team's performance. Despite having a crucial FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on the horizon, Glasner's squad exhibited considerable spirit and determination. Key forwards Mateta and Ismaila Sarr began the match on the bench to preserve their energy for the upcoming Wembley showdown. "It was not our goal to decide the title; it was our goal to win the game. A draw is a very good result. More importantly, the performance matters. We are back on track," Glasner stated, reflecting on their competitive spirit.