The prize is £10 million. Are Crystal Palace losing to Arsenal on purpose?

Arsenal are a few steps away from winning the English Premier League title for the first time in more than 20 years, with an unanswered goal after a hard-fought victory over West Ham United in the thirty-sixth round of the competition.

The Gunners took their tally to 79 points, five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who still have a game in hand that could return the clash at the top in the final two rounds.

Manager Mikel Arteta’s side face three crucial tests in the coming weeks as they face Burnley and Crystal Palace at the end of the league campaign, before taking on PSG in the Champions League final on May 30, in what could be a historic campaign if they manage to combine the two titles.

As reported by the Al-Sharq website, all eyes are on the final match against “Crystal Palace”, which has controversial financial dimensions.

Eberechi Eze’s transfer contract from Palace to Arsenal last summer included a clause giving his former club a £10m bonus should Arsenal win the title, according to reports in England.

This financial situation put Crystal Palace in a delicate position as they would face a difficult equation. A win over Arsenal could hand Manchester City the title and deprive the club of a huge bonus, while a loss to the Gunners would fill their coffers with plenty of money.

With Palace officially guaranteed to stay in the Premier League, observers believe the final match could turn into a real “test of integrity” for the London side, with Arsenal needing just two wins to officially clinch the title and end their long wait.