Selhurst Park was the venue but it was like Aberdeen against Rangers at Pittodrie on Sunday. Arsenal were beaten 3-0 by Big Sam’s Crystal Palace. Arsenal failed to score and didn’t even hit the target in the second half.

It was a shit of a game with the Gunners enjoying their regular possession and ramming on the Eagles gate in the first half. Arsenal caressed the ball all around the Eagles box but couldn’t penetrate. Crystal Palace relied on counter – fast counter attacks – but Monreal did a good job snuffing off a number of them.

Arsenal conceded a pitiful goal. Such goals should not be conceded. A goal kick pumped in and finding its way to Zaha who squared to Townsend to score in the 17th minute. It upped Arsenal’s tempo but it didn’t sharpen the penetration level. Welbeck was useless upfront, so was Walcott. The Eagles sat deep and Big Sam sat deep in his tunnel not minding to bark any instructions to his Eagles. They had a game plan and it is working – it worked perfectly.

Martinez did his bit at the back, made a couple of saves but could do little about the second goal in the second half. Lovely goal by Cabaye in the 63rd minute. Zaha grabbed the assist and he was drafted into my FPL team. No time. The penalty was a dive to me but Palace converted and moved on.

Introduction of Giroud, Ramsey and Chamberlain mattered for little as the Gunners fell for the fourth consecutive time away from home, conceding three goals in each of those matches. Is this the end? Maybe. They looked like the Aberdeen team i watched on Sunday – all huff and puff but no goal. A match is won by goals not percentage of possessions. I couldn’t differentiate Arsenal from Aberdeen. They were alike and had the same scoreline – 3-0.

It is one of the reasons I hate Monday Night Football. You are immensely under pressure to perform and live up to the expectations of the results of the weekend before. Arsenal is the only side that failed to win in the top 7. It looks like we will be in 6th for a good time. Is 4th still achievable?

The fans were pissed and told the players they didn’t deserve to wear the Arsenal shirts. Bellerin was booed away, Ox came to his solace. Xhaka was even likened below Charlie Adams and Gabriel was said to be cowardly. Things are falling apart and I am tired of reading such things as “we let the fans down” by the players.

It is a sad time and something has to happen. I don’t know but right know you may think Arsenal is playing in the NPFL were away win is rare. Losing last four away games is similar to what you see in the NPFL. That is the level Arsenal have fallen to.

Middlesbrough is next before an FA Cup semifinal against Manchester City.

Time for my COSTA Chocolate.

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