Eddie Nketiah Receives ‘Thank You Messages’ from Arsenal After Downing Title Rivals Liverpool with Crystal Palace

A Dramatic Late Winner That Shook the Premier League

Saturday afternoon at Selhurst Park produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the Premier League season so far. Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah, once hailed as Arsenal’s academy gem, turned into the unlikely hero of the day, scoring a last-minute winner against Liverpool.

The goal didn’t just secure three points for Oliver Glasner’s side, it also sent ripples through the title race. Liverpool, unbeaten before the match and sitting comfortably at the summit, were stunned by a disciplined and fearless Palace side. Nketiah’s late strike not only kept Palace’s remarkable run alive but also handed his old club, Arsenal, an unexpected gift in the form of an opportunity to close the gap on their title rivals.

Nketiah’s Moment of Glory

The game had already been packed with tension. Ismaila Sarr opened the scoring in the first half, pouncing on a poorly cleared corner to fire home and give Palace a deserved lead. Liverpool looked rattled, their usual fluency disrupted by the relentless pressing and physicality of Glasner’s men.

As the clock ticked into the dying minutes, Liverpool thought they had salvaged a point. Substitute Federico Chiesa, who had been lively since coming on, produced an 87th-minute equaliser that silenced Selhurst Park for a moment. It looked as if Arne Slot’s side would escape with at least something to show for their efforts.

But Eddie Nketiah had other ideas. Just when Liverpool were pushing for a winner of their own, a long throw-in caused chaos in the Reds’ box. The ball fell kindly, and Nketiah, ever the poacher, reacted quickest, guiding it beyond Alisson to send the home fans into absolute pandemonium.

For Palace, it was a moment of joy and confirmation that their unbeaten streak was no fluke. For Nketiah, it was the sweetest kind of redemption—proof that he could still be decisive at the highest level.

Nketiah Helped Palace Extend an Unbelievable Streak

The victory not only damaged Liverpool’s aura of invincibility but also added to Palace’s remarkable run of form. With the win, Glasner’s side extended their unbeaten streak to 18 matches across all competitions, a run that dates back to the closing weeks of the 2024-25 campaign.

This isn’t just a feel-good story—it’s a slice of history. Palace’s current run is their longest unbeaten streak since 1969, a stat that underlines just how far the South London club has come. Glasner has built a team that is defensively disciplined, tactically versatile, and dangerous on the counter. With players like Sarr, Nketiah, and Yeremy Pino leading the line, they have enough firepower to trouble any team in England.

For a club often described as a mid-table mainstay, Palace’s unbeaten streak has transformed their image. They are no longer punching above their weight; they are dictating the tempo against some of the league’s biggest names.

Arsenal Thank Nketiah for Winner Against Liverpool

Crystal Palace v Liverpool – Premier League

Perhaps the most intriguing subplot of the weekend came after the final whistle. Nketiah, who came through Arsenal’s youth system and spent over a decade at the club, admitted that he had been inundated with messages from familiar faces at the Emirates.

“I had a few thank you messages to be honest,” Nketiah revealed with a smile in his post-match interview. “Yeah, a couple of the staff messaged me but I’m fully focused on life here and want to do well and help the team as much as possible.”

It was a light-hearted but telling admission. Arsenal’s coaching staff, well aware of the implications of Nketiah’s late winner, couldn’t resist sending a nod of appreciation. The Gunners have been trailing Liverpool in the table and needed a favour from somewhere. Thanks to Nketiah, they now have a golden chance to reduce the deficit.

Interestingly, Nketiah clarified that none of the messages came from Mikel Arteta himself. The Arsenal boss, focused on his own team’s preparations, opted to stay quiet, but the gratitude from within the club’s walls speaks volumes about how significant Nketiah’s goal could be in the context of the title race.

Liverpool’s Set-Piece Woes Continue

While Palace and Nketiah celebrated, questions were once again asked of Liverpool’s defensive organisation. Arne Slot’s side have looked vulnerable from set-pieces all season, and Saturday was no different.

Both Palace goals came from dead-ball situations. The opener stemmed from a poorly defended corner that fell to Sarr, while the winner came from a long throw-in that Liverpool failed to clear. For a team with ambitions of winning the title, such lapses in concentration are costly.

Slot admitted as much in his post-match comments. “We’ve had issues dealing with set-pieces,” he said. “It’s something we’ve been working on, but it’s clear we need to improve quickly.”

This wasn’t the first time Liverpool were undone in this manner. Only last month, they conceded twice against Newcastle United from similar situations, raising concerns that their backline lacks the composure and aerial dominance required in the most competitive league in the world.

A Chance for Arsenal to Reduce the Gap with the Reds

With Liverpool stumbling for the first time this season, the door is now open for Arsenal. Arteta’s men face Newcastle United on Sunday, knowing that a victory would reduce the gap to just two points.

It’s the kind of opportunity title-chasing sides crave. The Premier League is often decided by fine margins, and moments like Nketiah’s winner can tilt momentum. If Arsenal can capitalise, they will not only close the gap but also send a message that they are ready to push Liverpool all the way.

For Nketiah, the irony is sweet. Though he is now fully committed to life at Palace, his goal could prove pivotal in his boyhood club’s quest for glory. In a season where narratives intertwine and every point matters, his intervention may be remembered as a turning point in the race for the Premier League crown.

Nketiah’s Evolution and Palace’s Newfound Belief

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What makes this story even more compelling is Nketiah’s personal journey. Long tipped as a future star at Arsenal, he often struggled for consistency and was sometimes criticised for not being clinical enough. A move to Palace gave him a fresh start, and under Glasner, he seems to have found both confidence and responsibility.

“He’s been brilliant for us,” Glasner said after the game. “Eddie works so hard for the team. His pressing, his movement, and of course his finishing—he deserves every bit of praise he’s getting.”

Palace fans, who once wondered if Nketiah could be the man to lead their attack, now see him as a central figure in their remarkable rise. His late winner against Liverpool wasn’t just a goal—it was a statement of intent from a player who refuses to be defined by what might have been at Arsenal.

Conclusion: The Premier League Title Race Just Got Hotter

Eddie Nketiah’s last-gasp goal for Crystal Palace has shaken the Premier League in more ways than one. It extended Palace’s incredible unbeaten streak, exposed Liverpool’s ongoing vulnerabilities, and handed Arsenal a lifeline in the title race.

As Nketiah himself acknowledged, the messages of thanks from Arsenal staff were a reminder of football’s unique ability to intertwine destinies. A player once deemed surplus to requirements at the Emirates may now have provided the moment that reignited Arsenal’s title challenge.

For Palace, it was another step in a dream run that shows no sign of slowing down. For Liverpool, it was a reality check. And for Arsenal, it was a gift they simply cannot afford to waste.

The Premier League thrives on such storylines, where late goals and individual moments reshape the narrative of an entire season. And thanks to Eddie Nketiah, the 2025-26 campaign just got a whole lot more interesting.