LONDON (Reuters) -Arsenal’s hopes of securing a top-four Premier League end this season had been dealt a blow because the below-par guests suffered a 3-0 defeat towards rampant Crystal Palace on Monday.
Arsenal had been put to the sword within the first half by the scientific hosts, with targets from forwards Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew giving Palace a deserved 2-0 interval lead.
The Londoners improved after the break, with Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard lacking large probabilities to get their staff again within the match. Their wastefulness proved pricey as Wilfried Zaha put the sport to mattress with a penalty 16 minutes from time.
Tottenham Hotspur’s 5-0 dwelling victory over Newcastle United on Sunday means they’re fourth, forward of their of their north London rivals on objective distinction having performed a sport extra.
Arsenal had been in high-quality type on the street within the Premier League previous to their journey to south London on Monday.
“Congratulations to Palace for the sport they performed however we made it unattainable for ourselves with the way in which we competed,” Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta advised Sky Sports.
“I apologise to our supporters. We did not have the presence at present or the composure to dominate the state of affairs so that’s what I’m most aggravated with.
“First of all we have to put our palms up and get the criticism we deserve. Then we settle for it, look ourselves within the mirror and look to the following sport. This was not adequate.”
NO RHYTHM
Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Aston Villa final day out was their fifth away league victory in a row – the primary time that they had been on such a run since May 2015.
But they struggled from the begin to discover any rhythm, with Palace very a lot the higher facet within the opening interval.
It took the house facet 16 minutes to interrupt the impasse, as Joachim Andersen’s head despatched a free-kick throughout the field for Mateta to steer in his fourth league objective of the season.
Eight minutes later and centre-back Anderson once more turned supplier, choosing out an ideal move for Ayew, who managed nicely earlier than discovering the web for the primary time since December.
Arsenal simply couldn’t create any openings of observe within the first half, with Mateta going near including a 3rd for Palace earlier than the interval.
Content with a two-goal lead, the hosts sat again and invited strain after the break. Smith Rowe ought to have carried out higher from shut vary earlier than Odegaard dragged his effort vast.
Zaha then broke on the counter and was awarded a penalty – solely Raheem Sterling (23) and Jamie Vardy (21) have been given extra penalties in Premier League historical past than the Ivory Coast ahead – which he transformed emphatically.
Arsenal substitute Eddie Nketiah did hit the crossbar however it will have been too little, too late.
A second defeat of their final three league video games opens the door for Arsenal’s top-four rivals and Arteta’s facet nonetheless have all of it to do to safe a return to the Champions League for the primary time since 2016-17.
Fifth-placed Arsenal are stage on 54 factors with Spurs and three factors forward of West Ham United and Manchester United, albeit with all their top-four rivals having performed extra video games.
The scoreline at Selhurst Park didn’t flatter a powerful Palace, who proceed to enhance underneath former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, with the victory transferring them as much as ninth.
“I’m actually proud,” Vieira advised Sky Sports. “We defended nicely and took our probabilities. We scored in essential moments of the sport. We wanted a giant staff efficiency and we did it so we’re actually happy.
“It is an effective second for the membership however we all know we have to be constant in our performances and outcomes.”
(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Ken Ferris)
