It’s been a big EPL end-of-season matchday! It’s been a long and arduous season but it is now over and it certainly was a dramatic end at Selhurst Park. Football fans were treated to everything they’ve been waiting for at the Crystal Palace vs Arsenal 2026 clash, as the high drama, stunning displays of the beautiful game, and a glimpse of the top-seeded Premier League 2026 table were exactly what they wanted.

The full-time whistle marked an emotional and historic outcome if you didn’t watch live. With Arsenal vs Crystal Palace the result was a close call, but the Gunners were the visitors and they emerged 1-2 on the score sheet to secure their position at the very top of English football. The defeat was the bitter end of the day for the home side though, but they were far from the bottom so they will be able to rebuild for next year.

Let’s take a deep dive into the way the match played out, the standout performances, and what the final table will look like once the dust has settled from the 2025/26 season.

The Coronation Match: How the Action Unfolded at Selhurst Park

There was an electric atmosphere inside Selhurst Park, but in the away end the atmosphere was more akin to that of a carnival. South London Arsenal fans knew their team was in for something special. Despite the heavy rotation which saw a number of players, including some well-deserved debuts from those who have been on the bench, get their first crack at the ball, the quality of the play was still very high.

Early on, Arsenal had the upper hand in possession but the counter-attack by Palace was a threat. The home team defence, led by Dean Henderson, held the Gunners to bay for the first 40 minutes. The deadlock was eventually broken just before half time though. 

Gabriel Jesus was on the receiving end of a peach of a pass in the 42nd minute. The brilliant Gabriel Martinelli strike against Crystal Palace wasn’t in the cards for the winger himself, but he had his defence splitting through the ball that let Jesus in on a low shot to beat Henderson.

The Gunners had another shot after the break. It was a stunning assist by Kai Havertz in the 48th minute that was followed by a crisp volley from Noni Madueke to make it 2-0. The hosts did get a late consolation kick, but it was the 89th minute consolation goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta off a Yéremy Pino cross bar that didn’t spoil the party. The result of the Crystal Palace vs Arsenal game was narrowed to 1-2 at the end.

Premier League Standings 2026 The Final Table:

This last game out did away with all the mathematical uncertainty. Arsenal consolidated their top-of-the-table lead with the win. The Gunners were able to finish their campaign off with 85 points, which was seven points ahead of their nearest rivals Manchester City.

However, the loss put Crystal Palace in a comfortable 15th place, with 45 points. They would have preferred to finish higher, but they rightfully avoided a Crystal Palace relegation 2026 moment to guarantee that top-flight football at Selhurst Park is here for another year. 

The Final 2025/26 EPL Table (Key Positions)

PosTeamMatchesGoal DiffPointsStatus
1Arsenal38+4485Champions (UCL)
2Manchester City38+4278Champions League
3Manchester United38+1971Champions League
4Aston Villa38+765Champions League
5Liverpool38+1060Europa League
15Crystal Palace38-1045Safe
16Nottingham Forest38-344Safe
17Tottenham Hotspur38-941Safe
18West Ham38-1939Relegated
19Burnley38-3722Relegated
20Wolves38-4120Relegated

As the final EPL table revealed on matchday 2026, West Ham, Burnley and Wolves are the three sides that are heading back down to the Championship and Tottenham narrowly avoided a relegation nightmare with a turbulent finish.

The tactical and strategic analysis of Arteta’s last matchday mastery.

There was a lot of scoffling of the starting lineups. Arsenal 2026 talisman Mikel Arteta has opted to leave key players such as Saka rested, safeguarding them with their upcoming European commitment. Moreover, Kepa Arrizabalaga’s Arsenal 2026 loan goalkeeper came into the game to make a jobbing performance between the sticks, holding Palace to numerous times.

The key was width and speed. Arsenal took the Palace out of position as they used Gabriel Martinelli on the wing and Kai Havertz on the deep ball. Despite the Arsenal score today being a close call in the box, the Gunners’ able command of the match for 80 minutes demonstrated why they are the best team in the land.

The 22-Year Wait is Over: This is the first time in more than 20 years that Arsenal has won the English top flight trophy and it was a huge celebration as captain Martin Ødegaard finally lifted the trophy. 

Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q1. Who won the Crystal Palace vs Arsenal 2026 match?

A1. The final game was won at Selhurst Park with Arsenal winning by 2-1. Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke scored for the Gunners and Jean-Philippe Mateta grabbed one away for the Eagles.

Q2. What is the Premier League position for Arsenal and Crystal Palace in 2026?

A2. Arsenal are 1st place as the winner with 85 points. Crystal Palace come in at 15th place with 45 points and are comfortably out of the relegation zone.

Q3. Who was there to help with the goals in the Arsenal vs Crystal Palace match?

A3. Gabriel Martinelli was the first to have his name on the score sheet when he assisted Gabriel Jesus on the opening goal and also gave the assist on Noni Madueke’s volley early in the second half.

Q4. So what do Arsenal do after their Premier League win?

A4. The home season is now behind us but Arsenal has one big match to play. They will head to Budapest on May 30 to play Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final in a bid to clinch a continental double.

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The 1925/26 season in English football history has come to an end, but it hasn’t ended yet as the summer transfer window, pre-season programmes and continental finals are underway! From the inside scoop on the development of the league to the behind-the-scenes insights into the effects these clubs have on the world of sport, we’ve got you covered.

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