Mikel Arteta Sends Message to Arsenal Fans After Humbling Defeat to Crystal Palace

• Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s performance against Crystal Palace as ‘unacceptable’ following a humbling at Selhurst Park
• The Gunners were second best for most of the game as they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat on Monday
• After the match, Arteta issued an apology to fans as he slammed his players for ‘lacking compusure’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has apologized to fans after the 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday, April 4.

With a top four spot at stake, Arsenal took a major stumble as their former player-turned manager Patrick Viera saw his side outclass the Gunners at Selhurst Park.

It was, in all honesty, an odd performance from Arsenal, who have been in superb form in recent months, and Arteta was the first one to admit that his side were below par on Monday.

The gaffer spoke to Sky Sports after the game, where he congratulated Crystal Palace, but was also critical of his side for an unacceptable performance.

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"Congratulations to Palace for the game they played but we made it impossible for ourselves with the way we competed,” he told Sky Sports.

"We were poor, especially in the first half. I apologise to our supporters. We didn't have the presence today or the composure to dominate the situation so that is what I'm most annoyed with. Some days you are not there and you are late all the time. They got on top of it and had a good atmosphere and we could not get out.

How Arsenal went down on Monday

In truth, Arsenal were second best for most of the game, and they went behind early on, courtesy of Jean-Philippe Mateta's header following a free-kick.

Moments later and Palace stunned the visitors again, this time Ghanaian Jordan Ayew getting the better of two defenders to slot past Aaron Ramsdale.

Wilfried Zaha’s penalty in the second half summed up Arsenal’s day, and despite the visitors improving in the second half, the damage had already been done.

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After Tottenham’s emphatic win over Newcastle United, Antonio Conte’s side moved to fourth on the log, and Arsenal were expected to issue an immediate response in the Palace game.

But after defeat at Selhurst Park, the Gunners are now level on points with their North London rivals, albeit with a game in hand.

Partey sustains injury

More bad news followed Arsenal after the Palace game as Thomas Partey suffered an injury in their game against Crystal Palace.

In the build-up to Crystal Palace's penalty, Thomas Partey appeared to have pulled up a hamstring injury and was immediately substituted for Albert Sambi Lokonga by Mikel Arteta.

The Black Stars deputy captain will be assessed by Arsenal's medical team to determine the extent of the injury.