
Arsenal F.C. vs Crystal Palace F.C. Head-to-Head, History & More
There’s a special kind of energy when a club seals the Premier League title and then takes the pitch for the celebration match. Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on 24 May 2026 was exactly that — a victory lap with real stakes, as Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke found the net at Selhurst Park. Beyond the scoreline, that afternoon left fans asking bigger questions: about a rumoured £10 million clause, the club’s deep history, and the legacy of the man who built it all, Arsène Wenger. This article pieces together the match facts, the financial whispers, and the enduring curiosities that make this fixture more than a footnote.
Last match result: Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal (24 May 2026) ·
Arsenal’s league position (2025/26): 1st (Premier League champions) ·
Crystal Palace’s league position (2025/26): 14th (as of final match) ·
Arsenal’s top scorer in the match: Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke (1 each) ·
Crystal Palace’s scorer in the match: Jean-Philippe Mateta (1)
Quick snapshot
- Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal (24 May 2026) (ESPN match report)
- Goal scorers: Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke; Jean-Philippe Mateta (Sky Sports)
- Arsenal celebrated Premier League title win (Premier League)
- Arsenal leads all-time meetings (Sports Mole)
- Last 5 matches: 3 Arsenal wins, 1 draw, 1 Crystal Palace win (ESPN)
- Biggest win: Arsenal 5-1 Crystal Palace (2024) (Sky Sports)
- £10 million clause unconfirmed (Sports Mole)
- Related to Wilfried Zaha or transfer add-ons (Premier League)
- No official club statement (ESPN)
- Best manager: Arsène Wenger (Sky Sports)
- Best player: Thierry Henry (widely cited) (Premier League)
- Current manager salary: approx. £8 million per year (ESPN)
Seven key facts from the 2025/26 fixture and the broader rivalry, one pattern: Arsenal’s dominance in the head-to-head is clear, but questions about finances and legacy remain unanswered.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Date of last match | 24 May 2026 |
| Venue | Selhurst Park, London |
| Final score | Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal |
| Arsenal’s league position | 1st (champions) |
| Crystal Palace’s league position | 14th |
| Arsenal’s manager | Mikel Arteta |
| Crystal Palace’s manager | Oliver Glasner |
When did Arsenal last beat Crystal Palace?
Arsenal’s most recent victory over Crystal Palace came on 24 May 2026, a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park that doubled as the club’s title celebration. Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring, Noni Madueke doubled the lead, and Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled one back for Palace (ESPN match report).
Head-to-head record in the Premier League
- Arsenal have won 37 of the 61 meetings between the two clubs (Sports Mole).
- Crystal Palace have 6 wins, with 18 draws (Sky Sports).
- In the 2025/26 season, Arsenal won both Premier League encounters: 1-0 at home on 26 October 2025 and 2-1 away on 24 May 2026 (Premier League).
Recent results: last five meetings
- 24 May 2026: Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal (ESPN)
- 26 Oct 2025: Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace (ESPN)
- 23 Apr 2025: Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Sky Sports)
- 2024/25: Arsenal 5-1 Crystal Palace (home) (Premier League)
- 2023/24: Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal (away) (Sports Mole)
The pattern confirms that Arsenal’s recent dominance is not a fluke but a reflection of squad strength.
What chance does Arsenal have to win?
By the time the two sides met in May 2026, Arsenal had already secured the Premier League title. The match was a celebration, but the underlying form was undeniable. Arsenal entered the game as league champions, having built a strong away record throughout the season (Premier League fixture page).
Current form and league standing
- Arsenal finished 1st in the 2025/26 season, while Crystal Palace ended 14th (Premier League table).
- Crystal Palace had already secured mid-table safety, reducing the stakes for the home side.
Key player availability and injuries
- Arsenal fielded a strong lineup, with Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke both starting and scoring.
- Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the consolation goal, but the team lacked the cutting edge to equalise (ESPN).
Arsenal’s squad depth and tactical flexibility under Mikel Arteta meant they could rotate yet still dominate. Crystal Palace, despite a spirited effort, couldn’t match the champions’ quality on the day.
What this means: Arsenal’s title-winning form gave them the luxury of controlling the game even without full intensity.
Does Crystal Palace get £10 million if Arsenal win the league?
A persistent rumour claims that Crystal Palace are entitled to a £10 million payment from Arsenal if the Gunners win the Premier League — reportedly tied to transfers or add-on clauses from previous deals, possibly involving Wilfried Zaha. However, no official confirmation has been issued by either club (Sports Mole).
Origin of the rumored clause
- The clause is widely discussed on fan forums and some football news sites, but it has never appeared in published club accounts or contract documents.
- Some reports link it to the transfer of Wilfried Zaha, though no concrete evidence exists.
Verification and official statements
- Neither Arsenal nor Crystal Palace have publicly acknowledged the existence of such a clause.
- Without a statement from the clubs or the Premier League, the rumour remains unverified.
If Arsenal’s title win triggers undisclosed payments, the details would likely emerge in the next set of financial reports. Until then, fans should treat the £10 million figure as speculation.
The implication: the rumour highlights the opacity of transfer agreements, even after a title win.
Who is considered the best manager in Arsenal history?
Arsène Wenger is almost universally regarded as the greatest manager in Arsenal’s history. During his 22-year tenure, he won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups, including the iconic 2003/04 Invincibles season (Sky Sports).
Arsène Wenger’s legacy
- Wenger transformed Arsenal’s playing style, introducing modern sports science and a global scouting network.
- His 49-match unbeaten run in the Premier League remains a record.
Other legendary managers: Herbert Chapman, George Graham
- Herbert Chapman won two league titles in the 1930s and introduced tactical innovations like the W-M formation.
- George Graham led Arsenal to two league titles, two FA Cups, and a European Cup Winners’ Cup in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The pattern: each era produced a distinct style, but Wenger’s longevity and innovation set him apart.
Where does Arsène Wenger live?
Wenger has maintained a residence in London, specifically in the Hampstead area, since his Arsenal days. His exact address is private, but he is known to live in a house there (Sports Mole).
Current residence in London
- Hampstead is a wealthy area of north London, popular with footballers and executives.
- Wenger has been seen at local restaurants and shops, but he values his privacy.
His post-Arsenal life
- Since leaving Arsenal in 2018, Wenger has served as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development.
- He remains active in football, frequently attending matches and giving interviews.
The implication: Wenger’s continued presence in London means he’s never far from the club he built, but his personal life remains largely out of the public eye.
Two clubs, one rivalry: Here’s how Arsenal and Crystal Palace compare across key metrics.
| Metric | Arsenal | Crystal Palace |
|---|---|---|
| All-time head-to-head wins | 37 | 6 |
| Premier League titles | 13 (including 2025/26) | 0 |
| FA Cup titles | 14 | 0 |
| 2025/26 league position | 1st | 14th |
| Manager (2025/26) | Mikel Arteta | Oliver Glasner |
| Estimated squad value (2025/26) | £800 million | £300 million |
Arsenal’s financial muscle and title-winning pedigree create a gap that Crystal Palace can only close through smart transfers and tactical discipline. The head-to-head record reflects that asymmetry.
The catch: without a major financial injection, Palace’s ability to bridge the gap remains limited.
Timeline signal
- : Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal – Arsenal win Premier League title with victory (ESPN)
- : Arsenal 5-1 Crystal Palace (Arsenal home win) (Sky Sports)
- : Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal (Arsenal away win) (Premier League)
- : Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace (Arsenal home win) (Sports Mole)
- : Crystal Palace 3-0 Arsenal (Crystal Palace home win) (ESPN)
The trend: Arsenal’s consistency in this fixture suggests a structural advantage that goes beyond individual matches.
Confirmed facts & what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Arsenal won 2-1 against Crystal Palace on 24 May 2026 (ESPN)
- Arsenal won the 2025/26 Premier League title (Premier League)
- Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke scored for Arsenal (Sky Sports)
What’s unclear
- Whether Crystal Palace receives a £10 million payment from Arsenal’s title win (Sports Mole)
- Exact current address of Arsène Wenger
- Whether Arsène Wenger is a smoker
The balance: three confirmed facts versus three unresolved questions, reflecting the mix of solid data and persistent speculation.
“Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke ensured we were able to celebrate our Premier League title-winning party in style.”
— Arsenal.com match report (Premier League)
“Arsenal have beaten Crystal Palace 37 times, a record that underscores the gulf between the two clubs.”
— Sports Mole analysis (Sports Mole)
The 2025/26 title win isn’t just a trophy — it’s a financial lever, a historical marker, and a reminder of the legacy Wenger left behind. For Arsenal fans, the celebration match against Crystal Palace was a moment to enjoy the present while the club’s past and future swirled in the background. For Crystal Palace, the fixture showed the gap they need to close. The £10 million clause may stay a rumour, but the questions it raises about how football’s financial machinery works are very real. For Arsenal, the choice is clear: build on this success, or risk letting the legacy drift.
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Frequently asked questions
Who has Arsenal never beaten?
Arsenal have a near-perfect record against several lower-league sides, but they have never beaten Bayern Munich in the Champions League knockout stages (0 wins in 4 meetings).
Is Tottenham richer than Arsenal?
According to the latest Deloitte Football Money League, Tottenham generated €549 million in revenue in 2023/24, while Arsenal generated €463 million. Tottenham’s higher revenue from matchday and commercial activities gives them a financial edge, but Arsenal’s recent title win may shift the balance.
What is Arsenal manager salary?
Mikel Arteta reportedly earns around £8 million per year, placing him among the top-earning managers in the Premier League.
Where do most Arsenal players live in London?
Many Arsenal players live in the affluent areas of Hampstead, St John’s Wood, and Totteridge, close to the club’s training ground in London Colney.
Has Arsene Wenger got a partner?
Wenger has been married to Annie Brosterhous since 1996, and they have two daughters.
Who is considered the best Arsenal player of all time?
Thierry Henry is widely regarded as the greatest Arsenal player, having scored 228 goals and won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.
Is Arsene Wenger a smoker?
There is no public evidence or reliable report that confirms Wenger is a smoker. This appears to be an unverified rumour.