The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
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Arsenal: Heavy defeat at Selhurst Park adds to woes of Gunners manager
Luka Milivojevic celebrates Crystal Palace’s final goal in their 3-0 Premier League win over Arsenal at Selhurst Park
Arsene Wenger’s future as Arsenal manager plunged into further uncertainty as the Gunners were soundly beaten at Crystal Palace last night.
Having won just two of their last seven Premier League games before travelling to Selhurst Park, Arsenal arrived late in south London and never got out of first gear as Sam Allardyce got one over his old foe – with the 3-0 victory easing Palace’s relegation fears in the process.
Former Tottenham man Andros Townsend opened the scoring before Yohan Cabaye’s well-taken second was added to from the penalty spot by Luka Milivojevic.
Large sections of Arsenal’s support ended the night with a chorus of “Arsene Wenger, we want you to go” and “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” – with protests against the 67-year-old likely to ramp up as they remain sixth following this damaging defeat.
The loss means Arsenal are 20 points clear of relegation-threatened Palace but 21 points shy of Premier League leaders Chelsea as Wenger’s knack of delivering top-four finishes and Champions League qualification now faces a stern test.
The Frenchman has yet to announce whether he will sign a new contract at the Emirates Stadium but his players did nothing to ease the mounting pressure on his shoulders with a lacklustre display.
The victory takes Allardyce’s side six points clear of the relegation zone with just seven games left but the defeat, and the manner in which it was inflicted, could have a lasting impact on Wenger and a number of his players.
Former striker Ian Wright led the condemnation of Arsenal’s performance in their loss to Palace, saying: “At least I tried.”