Arteta Reacts To Arsenal’s 2-2 Draw With Crystal Palace

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta expressed visible frustration after his team failed to secure a win in a tense 2-2 Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening.

The match began on a promising note for the North London side, with defender Jakub Kiwior breaking the deadlock through a well-aimed header, capitalizing on a free-kick opportunity.

However, the Gunners’ early lead was short-lived. Eberechi Eze showcased his class with a spectacular long-range goal that pulled Palace level. Before halftime, Leandro Trossard restored Arsenal’s advantage, sending the Emirates crowd into celebration.

The second half took a turn when Jean-Philippe Mateta capitalized on a defensive lapse, slotting home the equalizer and denying Arsenal all three points.

In his post-match reaction to BBC Sport, Arteta admitted disappointment in his side’s performance:

“We failed to maintain our standards. Credit to Crystal Palace, but we were inconsistent throughout. Our ball retention was poor, and we reacted slowly in many moments. It’s frustrating.”

When questioned about whether the upcoming Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) had distracted his squad, Arteta clarified:

“We’ve discussed the importance of focus. While the PSG game is crucial, today’s result shows we didn’t do enough to earn a win. The break is welcome—we need recovery and players returning to full fitness.”

This draw marks another critical point dropped in Arsenal’s Premier League campaign, increasing pressure ahead of European competition.

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Read the full match statistics and official recap on BBC Sport – a trusted source for sports journalism.