Arsenal’s hope of a top four finish this season took a knock on Monday evening as Mikel Arteta’s side were comprehensively beaten 3-0 away at Crystal Palace. The Gunners started slowly and never got to speed with the intensity of the Eagles, going a goal down to a Jean-Philippe Mateta header from a set-piece.
It went from bad to worse in the opening stages, with a mistimed interception from Gabriel allowing Jordan Ayew through on goal after the winger lost his marker Nuno Tavares. He was able to finish comfortably, giving the visitors a lot of work left to do.
While Arsenal marginally improved in the second half, they were still struggling with the bouncing Selhurst Park atmosphere, before the home side broke away on the counter. Wilfried Zaha drifted into the box, where Martin Odegaard took him out for a penalty.
