Arsenal Manager, Mikel Arteta has apologised for the Gunners’ “unacceptable” performance in a 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace that dealt a significant blow to their top four hopes in the Premier League.
Arteta’s men were destroyed by first half goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew at Selhurst Park on Monday night.
Arsenal had gone into the weekend in fourth place, but Tottenham’s 5-1 win against Newcastle on Sunday piled pressure on the Gunners and their response could not have been any less convincing.
The battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top four finish is heating up and Arsenal are in danger of missing out again.
They sit in fifth place, behind Tottenham on goal difference having played a game less than their north London rivals.
West Ham and Manchester United, both three points behind Arsenal, will also fancy their chances after a result that blew the top four battle wide open.
“We made it impossible for ourselves with the way we competed. You have to be physical and run and then you earn the right to play. We were really inconsistent on the ball and that is unacceptable,” Arteta said.
“We were poor, especially in the first half. I apologise to our supporters. We didn’t have the presence or the composure to dominate the situation. That’s what I’m most annoyed with.”
