Arsenal cruised to a 5-0 victory against Crystal Palace yesterday, but whilst the hosts were brilliant, it was also the case that the away team were incredibly poor.
Although Arsenal had won just one of their last seven games in all competitions going into the game, Palace were in even worse form, and their fans are angry at how their season is unfolding, having been knocked out of the FA Cup on Wednesday.
Palace have won just three games since September, and their fans expressed their frustration towards Roy Hodgson and the club hierarchy towards the end of the game, whilst Gabriel Martinelli added two more goals in injury time to seal what was a perfect return to action for Arsenal.
Arsenal fans were in a jubilant mood during the game, and towards the end, Crystal Palace had raised banners directed at their club’s board, highlighting their lack of ambition. However, there was little sympathy from the Emirates crowd.
Arsenal fans send Vieira message during Crystal Palace victory
Palace fans held up a banner in the dying minutes of the game which read:
“Wasted potential on and off the pitch. Weak decisions taking us backwards.”
This comes as Roy Hodgson faces increased pressure given Palace’s poor form this season. Hodgson came out of retirement to replace Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, who was sacked in March last season.
Palace played Arsenal immediately after Vieira was dismissed, and lost 4-1, with Arsenal fans chanting in support of their former midfielder, as many believe that the Frenchman’s firing was a harsh decision.
The Eagles have regressed even further under Hodgson this season, and as their demise was highlighted by their fans, Arsenal fans chanted in support of Vieira again, with his name ringing around the Emirates as the Gunners secured their win.
“Camera panned to Steve Parish and Mark Bright, while Arsenal fans sang “Vieira” which, given the context, is presumably a reference to Palace’s decision to sack Patrick Vieira,” journalist Matt Woosie posted on X.
Patrick Vieira’s managerial career
The World Cup-winning midfielder enjoyed an outstanding career as a player, and was the captain of Arsenal’s Invincibles side under Arsene Wenger.
However, his managerial career has not seen a similar level of success. Although he enjoyed a fairly productive first season at Selhurst Park, reaching the FA Cup semi-final, by the time he was sacked his side had failed to win in over three months.
In Vieira’s defence, Palace had endured a tough run of fixtures where they had not played a single team below them in the table, but their immediate improvement when Hodgson returned suggested that the problems ran deeper.
Vieira has also had spells at New York City FC and Nice, and is now managing Strasbourg in the French top flight, with his side currently ninth in Ligue 1.
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