Unai Emery said Arsenal blew a “big opportunity” in the Premier League’s top-four race with their 3-2 home loss to Crystal Palace.
Christian Benteke, Wilfried Zaha and James McArthur all found the net as Palace stunned the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Roy Hodgson’s men sealed an eighth league win on the road to leave Arsenal in fourth on goal difference alone and unsure of securing Champions League football next term.
Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck for Arsenal but the Gunners never looked like pulling off any kind of rescue act, leaving manager Emery counting the cost in defeat. “It was very frustrating, because it was a big opportunity,” said Emery. “But we’ve had plenty of big opportunities before today, plenty of key moments, that give us the opportunity to achieve our first target, to play in the Champions League next year.
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“But yes, today we lost a big opportunity. “It doesn’t change our idea or plan for the next match. It’s in our hands. I still have confidence though and I want to be positive. “Because we have been working hard to be in this key moment with the chance to finish in the top four.
“We can be proud of the whole season. Today we’re frustrated but tomorrow we have to stand up and prepare for Wednesday’s trip to Wolves.”
