Wayne Rooney and Jamie Carragher have had their say on Arsenal's chances of finishing in the top four following the Gunners' shock 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
Jean-Philippe Mateta broke the deadlock for Crystal Palace after 16 minutes in the first real chance of the match. Conor Gallagher’s free-kick was headed back across goal by Joachim Andersen and Mateta was on hand to nod in from close range for his sixth goal of the season.
Crystal Palace made it 2-0 eight minutes later with Jordan Ayew grabbing only his second goal of the season. Andersen spotted the run of the Ghana international and, after Gabriel Magalhaes was unable to intercept the pass, Ayew controlled and bent around Aaron Ramsdale into the bottom corner to double the hosts’ lead.
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Wilfried Zaha put the game to bed with 16 minutes left when he fired home from the penalty spot to increase Crystal Palace’s lead to 3-0. The Ivory Coast attacker won the ball back on the halfway line, beat Gabriel and dribbled at Ben White before Martin Odegaard clipped his ankle inside the area. Zaha brushed himself down and fired home from 12 yards to grab his 11th goal of the season and confirm the points for the hosts.
The result leaves Arsenal in fifth place, level on points with Tottenham in fourth place. The Gunners do have game in hand, however.
Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, Rooney believes Arsenal are still in the race for Champions League football next season. He said: "I think it is between Arsenal and Tottenham. I have looked at Manchester United’s form and I don’t think they will make an impact, but I have to give the upper hand to Tottenham as they have the slightly more favourable fixtures."
Carragher added: "Tottenham have the better fixtures. Even if you take that Arsenal game out of it, Arsenal have that game in hand but it is Chelsea away, so it is their toughest game. I would probably say I would go back to Tottenham on who is going to get the top four, because that game in hand is against Chelsea. That will worry them."
