When it rains, it pours.
Arsenal’s Premier League campaign appeared to be going at full tilt before Monday’s trip to Selhurst Park. Dominating games, fluid football and not conceding a goal from set pieces - at least that was the case before tonight.
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the defeat against Crystal Palace was the manner in which they were cast aside by Patrick Vieira’s team. The added blow of two injuries to Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey put further doubt on Arsenal’s top four aspirations, just as they looked like favourites ahead of their north London rivals Tottenham.
The Gunners still have games at Stamford Bridge and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to contend with, along with an away trip to Newcastle which certainly won’t be an easy task.
READ MORE: Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace as Tavares has stinker and Odegaard poor
"From the beginning we were not at the races,” said Mikel Arteta after the game. “When you come here you have to compete. you have to win duels and second balls and be aggressive and we were none of those and top of that we were really poor on the ball.
"We tried in the second half, we had three or four big chances but the only half chance they had they got a penalty. It is time to accept the criticism, put your hand up and apologise because this performance was not good enough for this club and then react. When everything goes well everyone wants to be there and be supportive.
"Congratulations to Palace because they deserved to win the game. They always play like this. We are humble enough to accept the criticism. You don't feel sorry for yourself because we lost players and a football match."
Arteta’s decision to haul Nuno Tavares off after 45 minutes defines a difficult campaign in which he has produced more inconsistent performances than impressive ones. The Portuguese defender has been substituted on 35 and 45 minutes in his last two starts.
Wilfried Zaha, a one time Arsenal target, reminded the Gunners of his qualities and no one has won more penalties in the Premier League against the north Londoners than the Ivory Coast international.
As for Arsenal, it’s time for the players to regroup, analyse where it went wrong and dust themselves down ahead of a match against Brighton at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
