CRYSTAL Palace put a dent in Arsenal’s bid to finish in the Premier League’s top four with a 3-0 thrashing on Monday night.
The Gunners were devastated by first half goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ghana forward Jordan Ayew at Selhurst Park.
Arsenal’s second defeat in their last three Premier League games was then sealed by Wilfried Zaha’s penalty late in the second half.
Arsenal went into the weekend in fourth place, but Tottenham Hotspur’s 5-1 win over Newcastle United on Sunday placed them above Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners are now in fifth place, behind Tottenham on goal difference having played a game fewer than their bitter north London rivals.
West Ham and Manchester United, both three points behind Arsenal, are also within shots of finishing fourth, although they are both three points behind the Gunners having played more games.
Palace, managed by former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira, drew first blood in the 16th minute after Ben White fouled Zaha.
Conor Gallagher’s free-kick went to the far post, where Joachim Andersen headed it back across for Mateta to nod home from six yards for his sixth goal of the season.
Eight minutes later, it was 2-0. Andersen’s long pass eluded Gabriel and Ayew escaped the attentions of Nuno Tavares to score with a composed finish from the edge of the box.
Arsenal blew the few chances to get back in the game and they were punished for their profligacy in the 74th minute as Zaha’s run drew a foul from Martin Odegaard in the box.
Zaha got up to convert the spot-kick with ease, sending Ramsdale the wrong way after VAR confirmed the penalty award.
