Crystal Palace could now be without Wilfried Zaha for Monday’s clash against Arsenal following an injury update from Ivory Coast manager Patrice Beaumelle.
Speaking to the press via the Evening Standard after the African nation’s 3-0 loss to England, the Ivory Coast boss revealed that Zaha had missed the match through a hamstring injury, with Beaumelle now willing to risk the Palace star despite the occasion.
Zaha represented England in the early years of his career, though with the fixtures being friendlies, the winger was able to commit his professional loyalties to the Ivory Coast, with the forward playing for the Elephants since 2017.
However, the Palace talisman could now be out for Monday’s huge London derby against Arsenal, with Michael Olise also reportedly out for the fixture which could prove crucial to either side. And according to Beaumelle, rest is needed for Zaha.
The French manager said: “He had a grade one or two injury and because of the schedule of Crystal Palace, I understand the busy schedule, we don’t have to take any risks because if it gets worse it is maybe six weeks or two months out.
Beaumelle added on Zaha’s injury: “We will see [how long he is out] with Crystal Palace. I released him to go and have some care with his club. I asked him to [then] come with the team. He was so sad because he wanted to play but, for me, a grade two is an injury.”
Zaha’s injury is a massive boost for Arsenal and another blow for Palace
Arsenal’s top-four hopes could get a significant boost on Monday if they can claim the three points against Palace, a side the Gunners have famously struggled against multiple times over the past few years.
Yet with Olise and now Zaha, who Tony Cascarino praised as ‘unplayable’. potentially out injured for the match, Palace will have to bring their A-game if they are to get something over Arsenal, who will be looking for another rampant performance in south London next week.
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