Wilfried Zaha has shared ‘we knew’ Arsenal were going to play on the inside against Crystal Palace on Monday night, as he told Sky Sports.
Palace recorded a 3-0 win over Arsenal, as Zaha added the team simply tried to ‘block’ them from coming inside and then ‘imposed ourselves’ in the game, regardless of who they were coming up against.
Zaha caused Arsenal all sorts of problems at Selhurst Park, as Mikel Arteta’s side just couldn’t cope with how they were suffocated by their London neighbours.
With Patrick Vieira’s side 2-0 up in the first half, Arsenal probably felt they had a chance to come back in the second, but Zaha’s penalty, after a bursting run, put all of that to bed.
After the game, he was asked about Palace’s deserved win and what they tried to do against the Champions League-chasing team.
“We worked on what we were going to do all week,” said Zaha. “We knew they like to play inside, so we just tried to block the inside balls.
“When we had the chances, then we just countered. And then got the goals that we needed.
On not showing Arsenal respect and not giving them a minute’s peace by pressing them: “I think with the quality that we have, we just have to impose ourselves on the games that we play,” he added.
“It’s not about looking at the badges. We have got quality in our team. I think, if we can play the way we want to play, then we can beat anyone.”
Arsenal fans won’t like to hear it, but this defeat has come at the wrong time for them.
On Sunday, Tottenham sent out a signal of intent by demolishing Newcastle United 5-1.
That moved Spurs into fourth place, as the Gunners are still level on points with their rivals, but with only one game in hand now.
It’s in Arsenal’s hands, but Spurs have the momentum, including their rescheduled north London derby meeting next month.
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