Crystal Palace v Arsenal matchday programme by Crystal Palace F.C.

Crystal Palace v Arsenal Wednesday 19th May 2021 // 7:00pm

Directors Steve Parish, Chairman David Blitzer Joshua Harris Chief Executive Phil Alexander Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell Head of Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning Scott Guyett Head of Medical Dr. Zaf Iqbal Academy Director Gary Issott Director of U23 Development Mark Bright Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott Commercial Director Barry Webber Operations Director Sharon Lacey Head of Consumer Sales Mike Pink Head of Ticketing Dan Clarke Head of Legal David Nichol Chief Marketing and Communications Officer James Woodroof Head of CRM & Campaigns Tom McGuiness

palace √ arsenal 19.05.21

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Editor Ben Mountain Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas, Stu Ellmer Contributors Dan Blazer, Will Robinson, Ian King, Daniel Storey, Darren Ambrose, Tash Stephens Photography Neil Everitt, Seb Frej, Reuters, Dan Weir (PPA), Rex Features, Printer Bishops Printers

palace for life

1990/91 season

paddy m©carthy

annabel johnson

fixtures & results

premier league

4 6

luka milivojevic

steve parish

darren ambrose

junior eagles

Daniel storey

Beulah Pickles

51 62 contents

official matchday programme

Your return has been long anticipated and I sincerely hope it is permanent. Your backing and vocal support has been sadly missed

elcome to Mikel Arteta, his staff

progress somewhat but I have been glad that

and players and welcome to

the difficult end of season fixture schedule has

those of you reading this. I am

been free from the spectre of the Championship

delighted to be able to say that again after so

and that we have been able to secure the

many months.

club’s Premier League status for an eighth

This season has been perhaps even more unusual than the last. It has not had

consecutive season; a task which seems to become more hazardous each year.

the unforeseeable interruption of 2019/20,

To survive and at times flourish in such

nor the summer matches or such extreme

circumstances is success, and to do so for

measures against infection, but it has been an

this football club in an eighth consecutive

entire campaign played in what were once

campaign – without any real fear of relegation

thoroughly abnormal circumstances.

– is even more so.

I and many others in football regarded this

We face two more tests of our mettle

season in a similar way to the initial suspension:

before the end of this season, the first of which

assuming, or hoping, that measures to combat

comes today against Arsenal. We know that

the virus, including the exclusion of fans, would

Arsenal will be striving for their own push up the

be short lived, and that it would not take long

table as they look to secure European football,

to return to normality. Sadly, that has not been

so we are prepared to face a determined

the case, and today is only the second time

opponent. That said, I am sure those supporters

this season that the team and I shall be able to

with us today will provide the extra inspiration

greet supporters in person.

and impetus required for such a fight and I

Your return has been long anticipated and I sincerely hope it is permanent. Your backing and vocal support has been sadly missed. Looking back on the season I suppose that

know your return will spur the players on. They are as excited to play in front of you again as I am glad that you are back. Enjoy the game today, and I hope that you

we can take some pride in not having been in

and those close to you have a safe and

the relegation zone or amongst the relegation

enjoyable summer.

threatened teams throughout. A spell of injuries to key players at the end of January halted our

The manager

official matchday programme

No player, no member of staff and no fan wants another season like this one; we want to play in front of the people who make football special

e are back at Selhurst again so

But we have had some good games

soon, but tonight the experience

against them quite recently. We are unbeaten

will be totally different. Under

in five matches together and know that

the lights at our home ground with so many

we can frustrate the big teams and secure

of you here with us, that is very exciting for

points in all fixtures. Doing that in front of you

me and the boys.

supporting us for the second time this season

Overall, this season has been a little bit frustrating at times but we must be

will be easier because of your motivation. I hope that this summer will act as a big

happy to make sure Crystal Palace are in

change for football. We go into it still in a

the Premier League in 2021/22 and that we

season hit by the pandemic and with just a

are almost ready to put the last year and

small number of supporters, but I hope we

more in the past. No player, no member of

will come out of it much closer to normal,

staff and no fan wants another season like

with most people vaccinated and safe to be

this one; we want to play in front of the

comfortable at Selhurst again.

people who make football special and we

I would like to wish my teammates taking

want to play and travel how we are used

part in the Euros some good luck and I will say

to again.

that I hope they can go far in this tournament

So for that, I am happy the season is ready to end so that we can begin the next

to make the club proud. The last thing to say this season is

campaign soon. Of course, first of all we

that I hope you all stay safe and well,

face a difficult Arsenal team who showed

have an enjoyable summer and are ready

how tough they can be to defeat with their

for another top-flight campaign, this time

1-0 win against Chelsea. In this game,

watching in person.

Arsenal looked very tight, very compact

We cannot wait for next season now

and kept a good clean sheet. We know we

more than ever, so enjoy today and, for any of

have to work hard to get past this.

you unable to join us, see you again soon.

The captain

official matchday programme

elcome to the players, staff and

seeing the footage filmed in 12/13 for some

directors of Arsenal to Selhurst

time now, and can guarantee they will not

Park today, and thank you for

be disappointed. Taking footage shot in that

buying this matchday programme. I am absolutely thrilled to also welcome

remarkable season combined with up to date interviews of all the key figures, we pick apart

6,500 supporters this evening, after an

that incredible period of our history from

immensely challenging season for us all. I

administration to the PL. If you want to hear

know that having a crowd for our draw with

the incredible, real untold inside story it’s

Spurs earlier in the season gave Roy and the

simply unmissable. We are also immensely

players a huge boost and I was exceptionally

proud this was made entirely in-house and

pleased to witness, and even more so hear, the

huge credit must go to the team of James

atmosphere created from such a small number

Woodroof, Chris Grierson and Sean Webb in

of you. Today we have more than triple that

bringing it all to life.

capacity under the lights for our final home

Reflecting on the chaos of the 2009/10

game against top opposition. It is a real chance

season culminating at Hillsborough, buying

for the team to put in a performance that

the club weeks later from a hospital bed and

repays you all for your magnificent support. I

that incredible 12/13 season, once again it’s

must commend the Premier League and our

fantastic that we have retained our Premier

staff for ensuring that it has been able to take

League status for a ninth campaign and built a

place in front of you today.

Category 1 Academy - it really has been quite

We have a lot to look forward to in the coming months, not least of all hopefully being able to continue having greater crowds

a journey. Let’s hope for many more enjoyable seasons with hopefully a stadium full of fans. I am extremely proud of how far this

at Selhurst next season, but also with our

club has come through the hard work and

numerous Academy teams progressing all the

determination of countless people, and to see

time and having the opportunity to grow even

us in the position we are now is nothing short

further in their second Category 1 season. Roy

of remarkable. It also reminded me just how

recently said that there are several players in

much of an impact supporters, especially ours,

our Academy who can follow in the footsteps

can make. If it wasn’t for those thousands of

of Aaron and Tyrick if they continue to apply

fans in the summer of 2010 who made their

themselves, and I fully agree. Our U18s and

voices heard at Lloyds Bank to help push our

U23s in particular have been nothing short of

deal through, who knows where we’d be today.

incredible this season. Although print deadlines

All that’s left for me to say today is

mean I can’t comment on the outcome of the

thank you once again for all of your support

various play-off scenarios - hopefully Shaun

and a huge, huge thank you to Roy, Ray, the

and the team have managed to progress.

coaching and support staff, the players,

I am delighted that we were able to

and all my colleagues for their efforts this

confirm the worldwide launch of When Eagles

campaign, and may I wish you all a safe and

Dare on Amazon Prime Video on June 4th. I

enjoyable summer.

know that supporters have keenly anticipated

Up the Palace.

The chairman

official matchday programme

Making it in the world of professional football often requires luck – but as Tyrick Mitchell tells Will Robinson, Robinson when fortune isn’t on your side only hard work will keep you in with a chance of achieving your dream.

main interview

he harder you work, so the old saying goes, the luckier you get. For Tyrick Mitchell,

this has never been the case. Still just 21-years-old, the Palace defender is reaching the end of his first full season with the senior team, but it took some fight to get there: an Academy shutdown, injuries at the worst possible times, and a global pandemic that means he is still yet to play in front of a full stadium more than a year after his Premier League debut. “You can work hard and it not be enough,” he says, “but if you don’t work hard it will never be enough. If you work hard, you give yourself that little chance.” Mitchell’s rise to first-team football has been a masterclass in taking those little chances. After signing scholarship forms at Brentford, the only academy he had known since joining as a 10-year-old, he was informed that the club were shutting down their entire youth structure. “One minute we were there, and then the next minute they decided to close it,” Mitchell remembers. “It was literally: we got our scholars and then a month later we were told it wasn’t continuing. “It was a surreal moment – probably the weirdest moment of my career, because I’d been there from primary school. These people, these coaches and players, these are the people that I grew up with.

official matchday programme

you can work hard and it not be enough, but if you don’t work hard it will never be enough. If you work hard, you give yourself that little chance

One minute I was there and then the next minute it was like: ‘Oh, I don’t have a club.’” Mitchell was grateful for the distractions of normal life, as the career he had sacrificed so much for looked to be in jeopardy. “The good thing about it was that I was still in school,” he says. “I was around my friends often. Obviously we were focused on our GCSEs, so it kind of took my mind off football. “If I was a scholar, we left and then it finished and I didn’t have anything else to do until I find another club, that would have made me realise: ‘Damn, this is a big thing.’ But because I was still waking up early and going to school every day, chilling with my friends and stuff, it kind of helped me forget about the situation that I was in.” For Palace’s ever-growing ambitions to develop young talent, Brentford’s decision spelled opportunity. “It was weird,” recalls Mitchell, “I went to see two other teams and I wanted to stay in London because that’s all I knew. I was leaning towards anyone that was close to London. “But then I got told that Palace would want to sign me straight away. I thought about it for a second, but then straight away I knew: ‘It’s in London, they’re a good club.’ So when I heard Palace, my mind was kind of set on trying to

main interview

official matchday programme

meet them and trying to push that through. I met Gary [Issott]. He showed me that if I was to work hard and fulfil what I need to do, the pathway is there.” For Mitchell, facilities are only half of what makes a successful academy structure. “Sometimes you’re going through your career and you’re going through ups and downs,” he explains. “Life is full of ups and downs, especially when you have the pressure in football, it’s even harder. Having coaches that you can speak to away from football, that understand you, is vital. “You might not be playing to the best of

Life is full of ups and downs, especially when you have the pressure in football, it’s even harder. Having coaches that you can speak to away from football, that understand you, is vital

your ability, you might not be happy and then if you have no one you can vent to, no one you can speak to, no one who can help you, then it becomes a dark world and you feel alone. That’s the main thing for a club. You’re constantly dealing with a load of different personalities, and having the best facilities doesn’t always bring out the best in players.” Under Alan Pardew, Mitchell was invited to train with the first-team for the first time. It’s a memory he relishes reliving. “The level, the strength, everything was new to me,” he says. “Usually if I wasn’t playing with my age, I was playing with one or two years older, but this was playing with guys who are 28 – seniors – playing in the Premier League for five or six years. “It’s completely different. Their mind works differently. When I’m in the Under-18s, people make mistakes. People take bad touches and you can kind of get away with taking a bad touch. There, you can’t get away with anything. “You take a bad touch and someone’s going to pressure you, and especially because you might not be as physically developed as them, as soon as you take that bad touch – even if they don’t actually tackle you – they lean on you, and it’s hard. They’re professional athletes.”

main interview

There was no question of his idols going easy on him – not that that is something he would have approved of. “They’re going to help you when it’s not training, or before training, but when it’s a training scenario and you’re in possession, they want to keep that same level. But the good thing about that is it makes you better. For me, I wouldn’t really want them to take it easy on me because that’s not how football works. That’s not how life works. “You don’t really know what to do to get to that level, but I feel like the more you train with them, you slowly become more confident. I think that’s the main thing. Because as you go up, you’re not really confident because you’re around players that you looked up to, that you’ve watched week in, week out. “It’s about having the confidence to say: ‘I know why I’m here.’ You can look up to people for what they’ve done in the game, and want to emulate their careers or professionalism, but when it comes to being starstruck when you’re on the pitch, I don’t think that’s a good thing. You forget about your own game.” Mitchell’s hard work was paying off, and he began to be named on the bench for the first-team, only for injury to strike once again. “I think that was the hardest moment of my career,” he admits. “Going into pre-season, I was telling myself that this could be the season where I potentially made my debut. Then I got the chance to go on pre-season and it was the next step. “A couple of injuries came but I made the effort to get back and get on the bench, but then getting injured straight after was difficult. Because I knew as a young player it’s all about trust. If you can’t trust a player then it’s hard to give him that opportunity.

official matchday programme

I knew as a young player it’s all about trust. If you can’t trust a player then it’s hard to give him that opportunity

main interview

official matchday programme

“It was my first proper season

the excitement of the current crop of talented

in and around the first-team,

youngsters as the club’s new Academy opens.

so they were explaining to me:

“It’s massive, because if you put yourself in the

‘These players have done this

environment to succeed and you work hard, you will

for years. When your body gets

succeed,” he says. “You’re giving players the best

there, you’ll be fine.’ It was just

environment, the best pitches, the best gyms, the

understanding that my body might

best coaching to succeed.

not have been ready." Flash forward six months, and Mitchell was a key part of the side that beat Manchester United on their own patch. It was a seismic moment in his career – but he insists it is no guarantee that he has ‘made it’. “To play in that stadium and actually win was a massive thing for me,” he says. “I was like: ‘This is Old Trafford.’ You see it on Match of the Day as the Theatre of Dreams. People speak about it with such high regard, and to actually step on the pitch and help the team beat United at their ground, it was surreal. “I feel like this season is my

it’s easy to see other people get their pros before you, get their scholars before you, play up before you. But you’re in your own race. So unless you stay with tunnel vision, you’re going to be side-tracked watching other people

proving season – to myself as well – and I’m trying to prove that I can handle the Premier League week in, week out. After the match I didn’t look to myself and

“What I would say to them is: be tunnel-focused.

say: ‘I’ve finally done it.’ It was an

Because it’s easy to see other people get their pros

achievement, but at the same time

before you, get their scholars before you, play up

I thought: ‘I’ve still got so much

before you. But you’re in your own race. So unless

more to do. There’s so much left

you stay with tunnel vision, you’re going to be side-

in the season that I’ve got to do to

tracked watching other people. And then you find

prove to myself and prove to other

yourself missing out on that chance, because you’re

people that I belong where I am.”

too focused on other people.

While Mitchell grows at the highest level, he shares

“If you don’t work hard, it doesn’t matter how talented you are: it’s not going to work.”

main interview

zaha, oh yes.

official matchday programme

copers cope

NATURAL CAFFEINE ZERO SUGAR HYDRATION ENERGY official matchday programme now available countrywide

for SPORT

Club legend Darren Ambrose has gone from the squad list on the back page to guest columnist. The Eagles icon brings you his opinions, insight and untold stories throughout the 2020/21 season.

darren ambrose

Deserved recognition for Hodgson

England’s exciting summer ahead

What a magnificent achievement for Roy Hodgson

England have so many exceptional young

to be honoured for Outstanding Contribution at

players going into the European Championships

the London Football Awards. He started managing

this summer. I’ve done a few predicted lineups

in 1976 – that’s eight years before I was even

on radio shows, and it kind of changes every

born! It’s fully deserved – he’s a footballing man,

time – particularly the one everyone is talking

and it seems like he still loves it now as much as

about, which is the attacking midfielder role.

he did when he first started.

With Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Mason Mount there are so many options. You never want to put too much pressure

he’s a footballing man, and it seems like he still loves it now as much as he did when he first started

on the England team, but this season it seems different. Going into that first game against Croatia, everyone is going to have expectations that maybe we can go one better than the semifinal at the World Cup in 2018, and make the final – if not win it. I hope Harry Maguire isn’t injured, because he would be a big miss – he seems like a leader. I’m also really looking forward to seeing Foden

The dream for any English manager is to take

and Mount against what are the best teams

charge of the national team, and he did that for

in Europe, because they’ve both had fantastic

four years – and he’s ended up where he loves: a

seasons. And of course, if you can get Harry

Croydon boy and a Palace fan. When he replaced

Kane firing up top he can score you a goal out of

Frank de Boer, the odds were against Palace;

nothing. Gareth Southgate is experienced now,

everyone thought they would go down. Then

and we’ve got a big chance.

Roy came in and turned it around completely. He

We’re lucky that we might see home fans at

steadied the ship, and got everyone playing the way

England’s games for the first time since Euro 1996.

he knows how to. Palace finished 11th that season,

I don’t remember too much of the World Cup in

which shows you what kind of manager he is.

1990, just that Gazza was my favourite player – and

Anyone you speak to that has played under

I ended up playing under then-England manager Sir

him says his best trait is honesty. He’ll be as

Bobby Robson, which was incredible. But Euro 96 is

honest as he can with the players, and that’s what

the tournament I remember most.

you want. It’s no coincidence that he’s still going

I was 12 years old and loving football. The

strong after more than 1,200 games managed,

Holland game stands out because we went in as

which is incredible. There’s not many managers

underdogs and absolutely destroyed them - we

that last that long, or even want to stay in the

played them off the park. It’s also sentimental

game that long. He’s a born footballing man, and

that we will play Scotland this summer, after Paul

it’s always a pleasure to be around him.

Gascoigne’s goal against them.

official matchday programme

27 The fans – touch wood – are going to be allowed in, and that would be a brilliant occasion. I’m really looking forward to going into this summer as an England fan, and seeing what they can produce.

A clash of the managers in Europe If they were facing Real Madrid, I think Pep Guardiola would be quietly confident about the Champions League final. But it’s Chelsea, where Thomas Tuchel has come in and, at the moment, he seems to have Pep’s number. They have knocked them out of the FA Cup, stopping the quadruple, and now they have beaten them in the league. Tuchel knows how to play against Pep, and that’s going to make it a fascinating watch. It’s great for English football and the Premier League. I think if anyone can get a result against this Man City side, it’s Tuchel’s Chelsea.

Welcoming you back to Selhurst Finally, what a fantastic occasion it is to have fans back in the stands at Selhurst Park once

Finally, what a fantastic occasion it is to have fans back in the stands at Selhurst Park once again

again. It’s going to be emotional for us all. It would be great to end the season in front of the fans with a win, but the main result is just getting back in to support the team. Next season, we’re looking positive with the vaccine rolling out – I haven’t got mine yet but it should be due soon! It’s a good time to be a Palace fan: we’re in the Premier League again next season, and now I feel we can be pushing for even more in the next campaign. I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing summer.

darren ambrose

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official matchday programme

Junior EAgles

Palace for Life Foundation would like to thank all the Primary Schools across South London we have worked with over the past season: All Saints CofE Primary School

Heathfield Academy

St Aidan’s Catholic Primary School

Bandon Hill Primary School

High View Primary School

St Chad’s Catholic Primary School

Beulah Junior School

Kensington Avenue Primary School

St John’s CofE Primary School

Beaumont Primary School

Muschamp Primary School

St Joseph’s Federation

Culvers House Primary School

New Valley Primary School

St Mark’s CofE Primary School

Downsview Primary School

Oasis Academy Byron

Stanley Park Infant School

Foresters Primary School

Oasis Academy Ryelands

Stanley Park Junior School

Gilbert Scott Primary School

Park Hill Infant School

Sutton Education Trust

Greenvale Primary School

Raglan Primary School

Tweeddale Primary School

Gresham Primary School

Rockmount Primary School

Valley Primary School

Hamsey Green Primary School

Rowdown Primary School

Wallington Primary Academy

Harris Primary Academy Benson

Smitham Primary School

Winterbourne Boys & Girls Schools

Harris Junior Academy Carshalton

South Norwood Primary School

We look forward to continuing our work with you in the next season and beyond!

Guess who

Badge jumble

Can you guess the four players from today's

Can you work out four of Ian Wright’s

opponents in the below face mash-up?

previous clubs from the mixed-up badges?

official matchday programme

31 Check out the answers at the bottom of this page!

wordsearch

spot the difference

Can you find the six hidden football-themed

Can you find the five differences in these

words below?

two Palace pictures?

Six words to find:

Gunners, Arteta, Emirates, Cole, Sanogo, Aubameyang. Now make a sentence that includes all of the words you’ve found!

N A

N Y

answers

S A

A T

C A

T R

N A

Junior EAgles

Minamino's shorts 4 Missing PUMA logo on Ayew's sock 5 Missing crest on Takumi on chest 2 Ayew's wrist support different colour 3 Wrong football 3 Celtic 4 Burnley Spot The Difference: 1 Ayew missing PUMA logo 4 Calum Chambers Badge Jumble: 1 Arsenal 2 West Ham United Guess Who: 1 Alexandre Lacazette 2 Bukayo Saka 3 David Luiz

Est.

1886 opposition

arsenal match preview After a disappointing Europa League exit to Villarreal, Arsenal are playing for a place in Europe next season, with a real danger of missing out for the first time since 1996. They have won their last three in the Premier League however, including two since that Villarreal defeat, and arrive at Selhurst Park on the back of a victory over Thomas Tuchel’s in-form Champions League finalists Chelsea. The last time these two sides met, a superb Bernd Leno save and the width of the crossbar denied Palace a famous victory, but since then Arsenal’s young guns have pushed on to become regulars in a rejuvenated side – Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka chief among them. With no victories in their last five meetings with Palace, Arteta will hope his youngsters can keep Arsenal on track to finish the season strongly, and possibly nab a European place in the process. With Arsenal’s team selection up in the air, Daniel Storey analyses how the visitors might approach today’s game on Page 44 and you can test your knowledge of the visitors on Page 47!

official matchday programme

Mikel Arteta:

The best way to do it is with the right attitude. We have done so many right steps, some you can see and some you can’t. The foundations are there recent outings

3-1

w {h) 09.05.21

0-0

d {h) 06.05.21

0-2

w {a) 02.05.21

The gunners premier league wins

all-timers Dennis Bergkamp

186

Ray Parlour

175

Patrick Vieira

170

David Seaman

166

175

Ian Wright

104

Robin van Persie

Dennis Bergkamp

premier league goals

Thierry Henry

last time out 01 16 22 06 07 25 18 03 11 32 14

Leno Holding Marí Gabriel Saka Elneny Partey Tierney Ødegaard Smith-Rowe Aubameyang

0-1 01

opposition

player profile

Age

Height

1.90m

Joined

19th June, 2018

Debut

20th September, 2018 v Vorskla Poltava

PREVIOUS CLUBS: VfB Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen

Bernd Leno POSITION: GOALKEEPER NATIONALITY: GERMANY

Now with more than 100 Arsenal appearances to his name, Leno has made the goalkeeping spot his own after arriving from his native Germany. His excellent save from Christian Benteke’s header kept the scores level

Héctor Bellerín

Kieran Tierney

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: SPAIN

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: SCOTLAND

at the Emirates, and he will

be looking for another clean sheet this time around.

95 apps 23 clean sheets official matchday programme

Rob Holding

Cédric Soares

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL

David Luiz

Bukayo Saka

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: BRAZIL

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

21 apps 5 clean sheets

06 18 Gabriel

Dani Ceballos

Thomas Partey

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: SPAIN

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: GHANA

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: BRAZIL

player profile

Signed from Lille to shore up his Arsenal defence, Mikel

Age

Height

1.90m

immediate impact by scoring

Joined

1st September, 2020

Cottage. The speedy

Debut

12th September, 2020 v Fulham

Arteta saw Gabriel make an on his debut at Craven centre-back has been a regular in the league ever since, winning the club’s Player of the Month award three times this season.

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Avaí, Lille

opposition

Mohamed Elneny

Emile Smith Rowe

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: EGYPT

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

12 apps 01 goal

11 09

Alexandre Lacazette

Martin Ødegaard

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: SWITZERLAND

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: FRANCE

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: NORWAY

player profile

Granit Xhaka

Ødegaard became a household

Age

Height

1.78m

making his full international

Joined

27th January, 2021 (loan)

Madrid shortly after. He has had

Debut

30th January, 2021 v Manchester United

name at the tender age of 15, debut and signing for Real to deal with setbacks since, but has revitalised Arsenal’s attack since arriving in the Premier League in January.

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Strømsgodset, Real Madrid

official matchday programme

player profile

Age

Height

1.87m

Joined

31st January, 2018

Debut

3rd February, 2018 v Everton

PREVIOUS CLUBS: AC Milan, Saint-Étienne, Borussia Dortmund

P.E Aubameyang POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: GABON

Aubameyang has been Arsenal’s reliable source of goals since his move from the Bundesliga more than three years ago, winning the Premier League Golden Boot in his first full season and scoring the winner in the FA Cup final 12 months later.

112 apps 64 goals

Willian

Nicolas Pépé

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: BRAZIL

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: IVORY COAST

Eddie Nketiah

Gabriel Martinelli

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: BRAZIL

opposition

#31

#01

Guaita

Leno

player comparison

Age 34

position Goalkeeper

nationality esp

Age 29

position Goalkeeper

nationality ger

apps

clean sheets

Pens saved

apps

clean sheets

Pens saved

Saves

Punches

High claims

Accurate long balls

Passes per match

Accurate long balls

High claims

Punches

Saves

270

542

25.07

293

329

28.24

official matchday programme

#11

#19

zaha

Pépé

player comparison

Age 28

position Forward

nationality CIV

Age 25

position Forward

nationality CIV

apps

goals

assists

apps

goals

assists

Big chances created

Shooting accuracy

Passes per match

Crosses

Hit woodwork

Crosses

Passes per match

Shooting accuracy

Big chances created

238

35%

21.40

567

38%

21.07

156

opposition

officialLOCK matchday programme

EXPLODE

PLAY

Palace are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games against Arsenal (W1 D4). The Eagles had only avoided defeat in five of their first 18 against the Gunners in the competition (W2 D3 L13).

Arsenal have lost just one of their last 15 away league games against Crystal Palace (W7 D7), going down 3-0 in April 2017.

46 2

season so far

GOALS

309 437 SHOTS

EXPECTED GOALS

GOALS CONCEDED

AVERAGE POSSESSION %

EXPECTED GOALS AGAINST

SHOT CONVERSION RATE %

POINTS GAINED AFTER TRAILING

CLEAN SHEETS

POINTS DROPPED AFTER LEADING

goal times time

SCORED

CONCEDED

time

SCORED

CONCEDED

0-15

16-30

31-45

46-60

61-75

76-90

opposition

what’s the storey @danielstorey85

advantage. Arsenal’s record at Selhurst Park is astonishingly good, having lost once there since 1979. That was the 3-0 Palace win in April 2017 that formed part of their magnificent escape from

Granit Xhaka is the only one with more than 15 league starts, and some of those have come at left-back

relegation. A chance for a Columnist Daniel Storey can be heard on The Totally Football Show and seen in the Irish Examiner, the i paper and many more.

repeat should not be missed.

Hard to predict team selection in any case

only true regular, with David Luiz, Gabriel and Pablo Marí sharing 42 league starts between them. Some of this has been enforced - injuries,

But even if Arsenal are focused

suspensions, fatigue and

on their Premier League results

juggling multiple competitions,

to aim for a strong end to the

but Arsenal have a variety of

At the time of writing, Arsenal

season, there are few starting

selection surpassed only by

were awaiting the second

XIs in the division that are

Manchester City this season.

leg of their Europa League

more difficult to second guess.

semi-final against Villarreal

Forty outfield players have

Arsenal’s formation. Arteta

having lost the away leg 2-1.

started 28 or more Premier

experimented with both a

If Arsenal had progressed

League matches this season;

back three (3-4-3) and a

to the final and a tie against

Arsenal do not account

4-3-3 towards the start of the

Manchester United, that would

for a single one of them.

season, but has now settled

european distraction?

have clearly impacted upon

The biggest variation

One thing that is clear is

upon a four-man defence,

in Arteta’s team selection

two-man central midfield

comes in central midfield.

and then two wide forwards

to play for in the Premier

Granit Xhaka is the only one

that flank a central striker,

League after a disappointing

with more than 15 league

with a No. 10 behind him.

season, but the Europa

starts, and some of those

League would have been a

have come at left-back. Dani

wonderful salvation that gave

Ceballos, Thomas Partey and

Do Arsenal have a preferred style?

Arsenal their first participation

Mohamed Elneny have shared

The strangest aspect of

in the Champions League

duties, with Arteta preferring

Arteta’s apprenticeship

in over four years. Arteta

to pick a team according to

under Pep Guardiola is that

was unlikely to risk injury

each opponent in the manner

Guardiola’s team have such

to his key senior players

of his mentor Guardiola.

a definite style of play, while

ten days before the final.

But central defence

Mikel Arteta’s team selection. Arsenal have very little

That clearly provided Palace with a potential

official matchday programme

with Arteta’s Arsenal it is often

can be as hard to predict.

hard to identify a clear strategy

Rob Holding has been the

for attacking. They certainly

look to play their way out of defence, taking risks in a bid to invite the opposition press that Arteta believes creates space further forward, but after that things get a little unpredictable. For a period this season, Arsenal certainly attempted to maximise the use of the left flank. When Bukayo Saka or Kieran Tierney played at left-back behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, they would overlap while Aubameyang drifted infield and Xhaka moved across to cover the space. But Aubameyang’s recent illness has curbed that threat.

The opening goal will be crucial Arsenal have only scored the first goal in 13 of their 33 matches this season, probably the most disappointing aspect of their league campaign. Although they have made it count when they do, dropping only eight points in those 13

For a period this season, Arsenal certainly attempted to maximise the use of the left flank

games, the flipside is that Arsenal concede first too often and have been unable to haul themselves back into those matches. Arteta’s side have won only three of the 17 games in which their opponents opened the scoring. Arsenal have also been slow starters this season. They have scored only four goals in the first 20 minutes of their league games; only Fulham have scored fewer. By way of

prefers is inverted wingers.

comparison, Palace have nine goals in the same period,

Emile Smith Rowe - a right-

more than double that number.

footer - has been used off the

But Palace’s issue has been avoiding the concession of

left flank in Aubameyang’s

goals early on; playing Arsenal may ease that. Roy Hodgson’s

absence, with the left-footed

side have conceded 11 goals in the opening 10 minutes of their

Nicolas Pépé on the right.

games, four more than any other team in the league.

That’s because although Arteta

Which all suggests that the opening goal will be

doesn’t mind Arsenal crossing

absolutely crucial. Between them, these two clubs have

into the box, he wants that to

only won four of the 32 league matches in which they have

be the responsibility of the

let their opponents open the scoring. Score first and score

full-backs, rather like Liverpool

early, and you are halfway to victory.

under Jürgen Klopp.

daniel storey

Statistics correct as of April 30th

One thing Arteta certainly

146 LIVE GAMES 46

Questions linking Palace and today’s opponents that will test even the biggest Eagles fan. Time to earn your ‘Palace Encyclopaedia’ nickname.

06 Ian Wright was handed his England debut in

Eddie McGoldrick left Palace for Arsenal. But

February, 1991, against Cameroon at Wembley.

which club did the winger move to after the

But which manager awarded the striker his

Gunners?

first international cap?

07 The BBC’s Goal of the Season award for the

George Graham left Palace in 1977. Were

1989/90 campaign was won by Wright for

the Eagles the last English club the former

which goal?

Scotland international played for?

08 True or false: former Palace and Arsenal

Andy Linighan had a loan spell during his time

midfielder Mathieu Flamini has never been

in south London. Which fellow London club

capped at international level for France.

did he join?

04 What year did Matthew Upson join the Eagles

Which player scored the first goal in a Premier

on loan from the Gunners?

League fixture between Palace and Arsenal?

10 Ashley Cole retired as England’s most-

The last time Palace and Arsenal faced off in

capped full-back. How many senior

the FA Cup was in 1998. Arsenal won 2-1 but

internationals did the defender play?

who scored the Eagles’ goal?

answers 5 107 6 Manchester City 7 Yes 8 Queens Park Rangers 9 Paul Merson 10 Bruce Dyer 1 Graham Taylor 2 Wright’s first goal in the FA Cup final v Manchester United 3 False (Three caps) 4 2001 opposition quiz

fantasy dinner party

michelle obama She’s such a boss. What she stands for, what she represents, the influence and positive impact she has is phenomenal. She’d be the star guest.

Beyoncé This week, Palace Women’s goalkeeper Chloe Morgan gives us a glimpse of her dream guests from the world of football and beyond.

Again, another absolute powerhouse, paving the way. She’s such a great role model.

Ann-Katrin Berger The Chelsea Women’s team goalkeeper.

. morgan

She’s such a phenomenal figure. She’s probably the best goalkeeper out there at the moment and such an amazing figure for goalkeeping in the women’s game. She’s just proof of how far it’s come.

Marvin Gaye Absolute legend. To have him at a dinner party and have a singalong at the end would be absolutely phenomenal. After-dinner entertainment from Marvin Gaye would be unreal – maybe a duet with Beyoncé.

Rachel Yankey She has been absolutely massive for me. Growing up, she was the first woman and especially first mixed-race women professional who I ever saw in a magazine - to make me realise women’s football as a career was a thing. Seeing someone who vaguely looked like me was really powerful.

fantasy dinner party

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Over the road at Copers Cope

dan quick Copers Cope Road is home to Palace’s firstteam Training Ground and, just a few steps down on the other side of the road, you’ll find the Eagles’ Category 1 Academy complex.

over the road at copers cope

f there’s one thing Paddy McCarthy’s Under-18s side have become known for, it’s goals. Seven against

West Brom, five at Brighton, four past Southampton – and that’s just in the runin alone. But that doesn’t mean it’s a team dominated by talented attackers. It’s at the back that the foundations for those victories are laid. “Everyone had no clue how this season was going to go,” says Dan Quick, stalwart of Palace’s young defence and key figure in their first season as a Category 1 Academy. “Obviously we hadn’t played any of the opposition in Category 1 last season, so we were really unsure how it was going to go, but we just approached it with the mentality that we were going to win every game. “We knew we were good enough, we knew we had the quality, and we knew we could match everyone else, so we just tried to do our best in each and every game. It’s turned out really well. I’m really proud of the boys and the team with how well we’ve done.” For Quick in particular, Palace’s Under-18s’ coaching set-up could hardly be better. “I really enjoy working with Paddy McCarthy and Darren Powell,” he says of the two former centre-backs that lead the side. “I couldn’t have asked for any better coaches in terms of position. “They really help me with all aspects of my game – I can ask any questions and they will have all the answers, so it’s really good to have them there. Any tactical knowledge we take on from them, so I’m really happy with that.”

official matchday programme

I really enjoy working with Paddy McCarthy and Darren Powell. I couldn’t have asked for any better coaches in terms of position

It’s not only their on-the-field

and work on your heading – defensive headers,”

advice that Quick appreciates: “They

he explains, “so you do become one of the best

are a guide as to how to conduct

at heading in the team. When I go forward for a

yourself on the training ground. Their

corner or an attacking set-piece, I go with the

standards are really high. They want

intent to score and I know I’m good at that.

the boys to act professionally, and I think we do as a group. “Everyone is professional with timings, conducting themselves around the dressing room, how we speak to

“I try my best to help the team out and get a goal, or even an assist. I got an assist this season” – he emphasises this point with definite pride – “so I do always do my best to help with that.” It’s perhaps no coincidence, then, that Quick’s

people, everything like that which is

defensive idol is someone equally famed for their

really good. I think it’s had an influence

exploits in the opposition penalty area. “I like to

on the pitch with everyone being

watch Sergio Ramos,” he says. “He’s a defender

professional and taking things seriously,

that I look up to.

taking on board all the information that’s given to you which is really helpful.” In a challenging season, marred by a pandemic and disrupted by the building of a brand new Academy facility, that professionalism has been more necessary than ever. “I think we’ve dealt with it really well,” Quick says. “The training ground with all the construction going on, having

“He’s obviously one of the best, and he’s very

to have a gym outside in the tent – how

confident in the way he plays. I like his style of play

well we’ve done this season just shows

and I try to use what I see when I watch him and

how well we’ve coped with it.

put it in my game.” Could some of the underhand

“Everyone’s put the work in. All credit goes to the coaches as well, because they have had to deal with different gym

tricks Ramos is known for come in useful too? He laughs, and changes the subject. For all his interest going forwards, Quick’s

equipment in the temporary gym, having

priorities remain at the back. “It’s a tough one,”

to use different pitches where some have

he says when asked to choose between scoring

been redone. Once it’s fully done, we can’t

a goal and keeping a clean sheet, “but I think as a

wait to use it to our advantage.”

defender a clean sheet is always better. It means

Quick’s defensive efforts have certainly allowed for Palace to develop

you’ve done your job then.” The Under-18s title charge this season has

their free-scoring attacking style, but it

been magnificent to watch, and for Quick that

would be a missed opportunity if he didn’t

progress is the most important thing. “Whatever

get in on the act himself – he’s got three

happens [in the title race], everyone is really

goals to his name this season.

pleased with how this season has gone. We’re

“As a defender, you will always try

proud of how we’ve done.”

over the road at copers cope

21/22 season tickets Direct debit now available!

On sale to 19/20 & 20/21 Season Ticket holders! Save your seat before 18th June

search: cpfc tickets

From the club’s current or past employees to unsung heroes, people looking to make a difference to those who have found fame: south London is a special place to live, work and experience. This week, ‘Walk and Talk’ co-founder Beulah Pickles explains how football is the perfect vehicle to encourage people to open up about their mental health – and how doing just that will save lives.

Voices of south london

very football fan has missed those final

“So with football fans typically men of that

steps up to the ground in the last year.

age, it’s a great target audience to go for. Then

The anticipation, the familiar sights

bringing some exercise into it, getting out in

and smells, the hubbub of pre-match activity

nature and meeting new people – as well as

all around. But for Beulah Pickles, walking to

stops on the way to make it inclusive – creates

football has become more than just a matchday

a really nice buzz, and a feeling of togetherness

routine; it’s become an effort to save lives.

before the game.”

For the last two years, Beulah and her

This year, with a mass walk no longer

boyfriend Paul have organised ‘Walk and

feasible due to COVID-19, Beulah and her friend

Talk’ events, where fans walk to the football

Alfie are running from the Emirates Stadium to

together while being encouraged to talk openly

Selhurst Park – almost a half-marathon – to raise

about their mental health. “There are fans from

money for Samaritans, who have supported the

Arsenal, Fulham, Chelsea – even Dulwich Hamlet

walks in the past.

which we walked to on pre-season,” she says.

“Paul and I have both used Samaritans in the past when we’ve gone through a bit of a difficult patch,” she says. “Given the current climate it’s very appropriate.” The run symbolises the important role that exercise plays in Beulah’s life. “Exercise actually saved me about three years ago. I’m now a fully qualified personal trainer, growing my own business – but I use exercise as a coping mechanism more than anything else. I was in a bit of a bad place back in 2017, and it was signing up for a gym and using exercise as a bit of a distraction.

“None of us would have ever connected

“Going out for a run or lifting weights, it

with each other if this hadn’t happened, but to

gave me that clarity. It allowed my head some

this day we still talk to each other. It really does

space and it helped me focus so when I did go

have that feel of being so wholesome. It brings

back and deal with the issues I was facing at the

the community together, not just in the small

time, I was in a much better place.

sense of south London or Palace or SE25, but the community together as a whole.” With suicide still the biggest killer of men

“You see it with personal training: it becomes so much more than exercise. People start talking to you about their day, their

under-45, Beulah and Paul saw their passion

relationships, their friendships, how work is

for football as the perfect vehicle to encourage

getting on and how they are sleeping.”

openness in matters of mental health. “Take a

The run will be even more poignant,

picture of the Holmesdale for example, 95% are

to commemorate the loss of one of the

going to be men. I stand in with the Holmesdale

participants last year. Phillip Leverington, who

Fanatics, and I’m one of the only females in a

was 95, was better known to Beulah and the

block surrounded by guys.

other walkers as ‘Grandad’.

official matchday programme

None of us would have ever connected with each other if this hadn’t happened, but to this day we still talk to each other

“Ed, his grandson and full-time carer, joined the walk, and he brought Grandad along. It was a good way for Ed to express how he was feeling mentally, because he was in his late-20s and his whole life had been taken away from him to care for Grandad.

“He [Phillip] was just a proper character. A proper cheeky chappy – he loved having all the ladies around him on the walks. He was just a really good spirit. I used to go and spend a lot of time with Ed and Grandad in my spare time, and every time he would spot me his face would light up, and mine would too. “We’d walk along and I would hold his hand on the chair, or at one of the stops I would help Ed feed him. I never knew my Grandads – both passed away before I was born. I really enjoyed spending time with him.” For Beulah, the run will be more than simply raising some money. “We don’t just want to raise some cash and then it’s all forgotten about afterwards,” she says. “We want to continue that conversation. If you’ve had a hard financial year and you can’t spare a few pounds, that’s fine. But open up that conversation. “Have a chat with your mates, your family, those people you haven’t spoken to for a few months. Ask them how they are, or tell them how you’re feeling. Ask them again. If they say: ‘I’m fine’, double check. It’s all about encouraging people to talk.”

voices of south london

Throughout the eight-week programme, her progress has been clear to see. Her willingness to sit next to other students, speak with them regarding the tasks set and ask questions during the ‘check in’ and ‘check out’ portion of the sessions increased as the weeks went on. These situations

palace for life

have enabled other students in the class to better understand Becky, creating an easier platform from which they can converse and have fun whilst learning.

becky’s story Nine-year-old Becky* suffers from ASD, dyspraxia, and anxiety. She is also a young carer, looking after her paraplegic mother full time outside of school hours. Throughout the last few years of primary school, Becky has struggled to develop social skills and as a result does not have strong friendships, preferring on most occasions to spend her time during school hours with teachers or alone. Her teachers have said that she is often worried or anxious, can be nervous in new situations, and can lose confidence quite easily. During the autumn term, Becky became a participant

Becky’s confidence in herself has grown

on the Palace for Life Team

by a considerable amount since her first

Mates programme and was

Team Mates session. She is now constantly

an ever-present member at

raising her hand to answer questions and

the sessions.

even volunteers her input and thoughts

official matchday programme

towards discussions. On many occasions, Palace for Life Project Officers have had to say: “I love your enthusiasm Becky but I’m going to have to let someone else say what they think!” During the sports part of the sessions, Becky has transformed in confidence and willingness to participate. She began by refusing to take part, yet now she runs outside announcing what position she’ll be playing! She will even discuss with her teammates where she wants them to run and has been diplomatic when and if any positions should change. The Assistant Headteacher of Becky’s school said: “Becky stood up in front of the class to do a speech for why she wanted to become a school council rep, which was a huge thing for her. I don’t think she would have done this without the confidence that she has gained from the Team Mates sessions.” Becky added:

I really like Team Mates, it’s cool and fun and has helped with my confidence We have charity places Throughout the next term, Becky can now focus on developing relationships with her peers rather than the adults in school. If the previous

available to run the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon for Palace for Life!

three months are anything to go by, then we fully

To apply for a place visit

expect Becky’s progress to continue and surpass

palaceforlife.org and search:

what has already been achieved. To find out more about the Palace for Life Team Mates sessions, visit palaceforlife.org and search ‘Team Mates’. *Becky’s name has been changed to provide

virtual london marathon

anonymity to her and her family.

palace for life

GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk

game that changed my career A footballer’s debut is, understandably, usually the game that means the most to them; hard work rewarded and a dream achieved. However, that footballing bow doesn’t necessarily represent the 90 minutes that had the biggest impact on a player’s career. Throughout this season, we will be talking to past and present Eagles to find out which match has had the biggest bearing on their career. This week, Luka Milivojevic remembers

3-2 Olympiacos √ Atlético Madrid 16th September, 2014 Champions League I was struggling with Anderlecht, I signed for Olympiacos in Greece, and we played in the Champions League against the finalists from last

the day he clashed with Champions League

season, Atlético Madrid. We beat them 3-2 and I

finalists, Atlético Madrid, in a historic result for

think in that game I played really well. That game

his new club.

changed the way of my career. But this season, for us, I must say one game changed our season. That was the game against Brighton away. This season we had a lot of up and downs and in that game when we scored in the last minute against our biggest rivals, that was the main game that changed our season – a

uka

lot of happiness on our faces.

game that changed my career

62 @pnm1979

official matchday programme

2019/20 The good, the bad and the ugly: Kit or Miss reviews those desirable gems, those best-forgotten strips and does a bit of market research for those of you looking to snap up some of the Eagles’ iconic shirts. This week, Michy Batshuayi models the away kit from 2019/20.

kit or miss

2019 o ur final entry on a list great splashes in Palace’s rich sartorial tapestry –

What we like:

and, of course, a few wild mis-hits

The way the disrupted red and blue

from the noughties – sees last season’s

band through the middle continues

away strip down as an emphatic ‘hit’.

elsewhere with two shades of black, if

2019/20 provided one of the boldest

such a thing exists.

kits in recent Palace history in a season of three excellent designs. Few others have received such widespread acclaim so soon after launch – with this eye-catching black effort picked up by fans and media outlets alike almost instantly.

Even better if: A tough one, but if this design mirrored a more historic look from Palace history, it would be hard to top.

It’s no wonder, either. Continuing their smart lineage in this colour, Palace produced a design unrecognisable elsewhere in a bold step that deviated from anything the club has attempted before. This was an effort that looked as good on the pitch as it did in the photoshoot and was keenly snapped-up by fans young and old.

Wore it best: Mamadou Sakho.

Story of the season The asterisk that accompanies 2019/20 for all clubs is perhaps cruellest for Crystal Palace – who were flying

2020

high in ninth after their first game since the restart, only to lose seven consecutive clashes with an injuryhit squad and end the season 14th. Palace began brightly and were consistently in the top 10 from the start of December through to the end of January. Their strength and ambition for a push up the table was typified by four consecutive victories – three coming pre-pandemic and one, a 2-0

0-1 brighton & hove albion √ Crystal Palace 29th february, 2020

win over AFC Bournemouth, being their first behind closed doors. But the density of fixtures in June and July hit a reduced squad badly, as Palace fielded much the same team for nine matches in 36 days. Some of the defeats that followed were harsh scorelines, however, with a 3-2 loss to Chelsea being the clearest example – Palace knocked back when Gary Cahill sustained an injury which left the Blues

The finest hour: Jordan Ayew’s ‘day at the seaside’, this victory on the south coast saw Palace impress as much as their kit when the aforementioned frontman bagged a classy 70th-minute goal to send the visiting fans into raptures.

Where are they now? Every wardrobe in south London.

clear to score and a fightback undone only by Kepa Arrizabalaga’s heroics.

Buyers’ guide: Despite not being on a final reducedclearance-last-chance-all-stock-must-gosale in the Club Shop anymore, you can land your hands on one of these secondhand quite easily. It will probably set you back close to full price, however.

kit or miss

We’ve made the beer better. Worth a try? Probably. Carlsberg Danish Pilsner. Rebrewed for a crisper taste.

Club Historian, Ian King, looks back at the 1990/91 campaign that saw a Wembley return and confirmed Palace, for one season at least, as the third-best club in the country.

1990/91 season

As the they prepared for the trip to Plough Lane on Saturday, May 4th, Palace became aware of indications that Wimbledon would take up the vacancy at Selhurst Park left by the departure of Charlton Athletic.

alace travelled to Anfield on Tuesday,

After being left out of the England squad to play Turkey, Ian Wright was determined to show manager Graham Taylor what he had missed, a tough ask on a hard pitch in windy conditions. But any troubles were soon forgotten in a memorable 19-minute period after the break.

23rd April for their rearranged fixture against Liverpool. The timing was

After slotting home a knock-down

certainly ironic; the game came just four

from Garry Thompson, playing in his last

days after the UEFA announcement that the

game for the club, he collected Nigel

Merseyside club would be admitted back

Martyn’s kick downfield just inside the

into European football early from their ban,

Dons half, back-heeled the ball past a

meaning the Eagles, comfortably sitting

defender and whipped the ball from fully

in third place in the League, would be

forty-five yards over the bemused Hans

denied the same opportunity. The Liverpool

Segers into the net. The third came from

programme, trying not to rub salt into the

a clever team move started by Wright,

wound, suggested that third position might

who was in the right place to turn in

gain entry into the UEFA Cup.

John Humphrey’s cross at the far post. It

With five first team players out, Palace

completed his hat-trick – the first Palace

did well to contain Liverpool to just three

player to do so in an away game since

goals. Eddie McGoldrick played a starring

Cliff Holton in 1963.

role as sweeper behind stand-in central defenders Gareth Southgate and Richard Shaw, while Paul Bodin continued at left back. Simon Osborn made his league debut wearing the No. 9 shirt, but holding a midfield role that left Ian Wright as the sole striker. The Eagles started on the front foot, but Wright snatched at the only chance that came his way as Liverpool took control in front of new manager Graeme Souness.

official matchday programme

The final game of this memorable campaign brought Manchester United

to Selhurst Park, where there was another three goal salvo from the Eagles – although United

RICHARD SHAW

had one eye on their forthcoming European Cup Winners Cup final, and saw central defender Gary Pallister forced off midway through the first half.

While the Virgin hot air balloon refused to lift off before kick-off, you could not say the same about Palace, who took the lead in the third minute when United’s goalkeeper dropped the ball from a corner for a surprised Wright to tap in. The second-half belonged to John Salako, who netted on the hour mark as he followed up shots from Mark Bright and McGoldrick. Then, with 20 minutes left, the winger picked up the ball 25 yards out, turned and fired into the top corner. His celebrations were especially meaningful – Salako has since revealed he needed to score two to collect his

Joined from: Junior – September, 1986 Debut: 19th September, 1987 v Reading (A) Final Palace game: 11th November, 1995 v Norwich City (A) Left for: Coventry City – November, 1995 Palace appearances: 268 Palace goals: 3

goal bonus for the season.

1990/91 season

padd

official matchday programme

m©carth

We’ve got a lot of exciting young talent and hopefully we can get a few of these players in the firstteam in the future

ur 7-1 win against West Bromwich

not only that, it’s what they give you in and out

Albion in such difficult conditions

of possession: their work-rate, their intensity

was great to see. In the first-half

and their desire to do the right thing for the

playing against the wind wasn’t easy for us, but we played some great stuff given the

team has been impressive. When you have players with that level

circumstances and went in deservedly 2-1 up

of ability working hard – attacking players at

against decent opposition who are in the semi-

the top of the team working as hard as these

final of the FA Youth Cup.

guys do – it gives your team an excellent

We knew they would be tough opposition,

opportunity for success. It will also give them

and physically strong, so we had to match

an excellent opportunity for a sustained

their intensity and their work-rate and that’s

career if they can keep it up. Jack Wells-

what we did. It is the worst conditions to play

Morrison is another who has had a successful

in as a footballer, the wind. You can get your

season. We’ve got a lot of exciting young

head around any other conditions, but the

talent and hopefully we can get a few of these

wind is disruptive to everything.

players in the first-team in the future.

It was only – and I said this to the players

This group has really set the standard

– in the second-half that we realised how good

in our first season as a Category 1 Academy

the first-half performance actually was. The

– a season which has not been short of

game wasn’t the prettiest but among that, some

challenges. They have shown what the

of the football we played was top class, and we

expectations are, and they have worked their

were really impressed with how we dealt with

socks off everyday. We’ve spoken about being

that and responded to going a goal down.

in a privileged position during the pandemic

We have so many exciting young

that we’re still able to come in and continue

attacking players we’re working with week-in,

doing what we love, and that’s playing football

week-out. Once again, David Omilabu, Victor

and representing Crystal Palace.

Akinwale and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi were on the

That has been evidenced by their work

scoresheet. The guys have done really well

day-in, day out. They have set the standards

working together in recent weeks, and their

for the next group of scholars that will be

goal contribution has been excellent. But it’s

coming through the door next year.

paddy m©carthy

annabe

official matchday programme

johnso

There are quieter leaders, like the Steven Gerrards of the world – that’s definitely not what I am! I’m quite a vocal leader

aptaining a side through a pandemic

not what I am! I’m quite a vocal leader. I made

has been challenging, and a lot of

a decision at the start of the season that I

players had voiced concerns over

would make sure I was working the hardest in

team bonding – everything in masks and all

training. I wanted to make sure I was leading

separated in small groups. It meant I spent a

by example with my work rate.

lot of my time on hotel trips trying to think of

Being vocal on the pitch helps make sure

team bonding, different games that I could

we were solving problems and finding solutions

bring along that wouldn’t break the rules.

there and then. I also made it very aware to

We played a lot of bingo, I did a lot of

the girls that I was always available to speak

digging finding their toddler pictures and

to. The first year of being a captain was about

things like that – I think that Ashlee Hincks had

getting people’s trust, but from now it means

the most embarrassing one! The girls were

developing more leaders that then lead each

fantastic at putting in the extra effort. The hotel

other every day. I will delegate things to give

stays helped, because you are forced into that

different players the responsibility, and to share

environment. We were lucky that most of our

that leading culture.

hotel stays were earlier in the season, which allowed us to gel as a team much quicker.

Fingers crossed next year will be a more normal season. We’re so grateful to be able to

There was a definite change in our

play through this time, but it would be amazing

attitude and togetherness on the pitch post-

not to wonder if you’ve forgotten your mask or

Christmas. Clearly, that’s quite far into the

come in for COVID-19 testing! We’re increasing

season, but it was difficult to have pre-season

our training next season to four times a week

friendlies and do the standard team-bonding

and moving to the Academy, so our support is

stuff. After Christmas, there was a definite

constantly increasing.

change in culture as well. I think leaders are defined in different

It’s all about getting much higher up in the league, whilst being aware that we’re up

ways. There are quieter leaders, like the

against teams with much higher budgets. I’m

Steven Gerrards of the world – that’s definitely

really looking forward to being a part of it.

annabel johnson

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official matchday programme

Sep

oct

nov

dec

jan

feb

mar

apr

may

0-2 1-4 0-3 2-4 3-1

0-0 0-1 2-2 5-0 0-1 0-1 1-1 0-3

London Bees

Lewes

Durham

Leicester City

Sheffield United

Bristol City

Coventry United

London Bees

Liverpool

Lewes

London City Lionesses

Leicester City

Durham

Blackburn Rovers

London Bees

Leicester City

Liverpool

Charlton Athletic

Sheffield United

Sun 4

Wed 7

Sun 11

Sun 18

Sun 1

Thu 5

Sun 8

Thu 19

Sun 6

Sun 13

Sun 10

Thu 14

Sun 17

Sun 7

Sun 14

Sun 28

Sun 7

Thu 25

Sun 4

STATS 2-1

Arsenal

Sun 16

JAN

0-3 0-1 1-0 2-1

Norwich City Aston Villa Burnley

Fri 25 Fri 2 Mon 19

3-0 2-3 4-0 4-4 1-0 0-2 2-0 1-2 1-2 2-1 2-2 0-2 3-2

Stoke City Fulham Newcastle United Fulham Norwich City Aston Villa Burnley Wolverhampton Wanderers Leeds United Reading Sunderland West Bromwich Albion Stoke City Newcastle United Middlesbrough

Mon 23 Mon 30 Fri 4 Mon 21 Mon 18 Mon 1 Fri 5 Mon 15 Mon 22 Mon 1 Fri 12 Mon 22 Mon 29 Mon 12 Mon 26 Mon 3 Mon 17

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Middlesbrough

2-5

Sunderland

Mon 9

Fri 7

6-0

Reading

Sun 1

1-0

3-4

1-4

Wolverhampton Wanderers Leeds United

Mon 26

3-3

West Bromwich Albion

Mon 21

Result

Opposition

Date

1-0 2-1 1-5 1-2 2-1 4-1 3-2 2-0 3-5

2-2 2-1 4-0 5-1 3-1

Norwich City Leicester City Reading West Ham United Aston Villa Tottenham Hotpsur Fleetwood Town Brighton & Hove Albion Fulham Arsenal Fulham Norwich City Leicester City West Bromwich Albion Reading Chelsea Southampton West Ham United Aston Villa Tottenham Hotpsur Brighton & Hove Albion

Sat 17 Sat 24 Sat 31 Sat 7 Sat 28 Sat 05 Fri 11 Sat 19 Sat 16 Sat 30 Sat 06 Sat 20 Sat 27 Sat 6 Sat 13 Tue 16 Sat 3 Wed 7 Sat 17 Sat 24 Sat 1

West Bromwich Albion

1-0

Chelsea

Fri 2

Sat 8

3-2

Arsenal

Sat 26

7-1

5-1

3-0

7-1

1-1

2-1

1-0

2-3

2-1

Southampton

Sat 19

Result

Opposition

Date

Home Fixture Away Fixture Cup Fixture Play-off Fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first)

5-2

Coventry United

Lewes

Sun 25

3-0

0-1

2-0

0-4

6-1

2-1

Sun 2

London Bees

2-3

Blackburn Rovers

Sun 27

Sun 18

1-1

London City Lionesses

Sat 12 4-1

2-2

Charlton Athletic

Result

Opposition

Sun 6 Sep oct nov dec FEB

Sep oct Nov dec Jan feb MAR APR may

MAR APR may

Date

May

April

March

February

January

December

November

October

September

Date

Opposition

Result

Position

Sat 12

Southampton

1-0

7th

Tue 15

Bournemouth

0-0

Sat 19

Manchester United

3-1

Sat 26

Everton

1-2

6th

Sat 3

Chelsea

0-4

12th

Sun 18

Brighton & Hove Albion

1-1

14th

Sat 24

Fulham

2-1

8th

Fri 30

Wolverhampton Wanderers

0-2

13th

Mon 8

Leeds United

4-1

8th

Mon 23

Burnley

0-1

11th

Fri 27

Newcastle United

0-2

15th

Sun 6

West Bromwich Albion

5-1

11th

Sun 13

Tottenham Hotspur

1-1

11th

Wed 16

West Ham United

1-1

12th

Sat 19

Liverpool

0-7

13th

Sat 26

Aston Villa

0-3

13th

Mon 28

Leicester City

1-1

13th

Sat 2

Sheffield United

2-0

14th

Fri 8

Wolverhampton Wanderers

0-1

Thu 14

Arsenal

0-0

13th

Sun 17

Manchester City

0-4

13th

Tue 26

West Ham United

2-3

13th

Sat 30

Wolverhampton Wanderers

1-0

13th

Tue 2

Newcastle United

2-1

13th

Sat 6

Leeds United

0-2

13th

Sat 13

Burnley

0-3

14th

Mon 22

Brighton & Hove Albion

2-1

13th

Sun 28

Fulham

0-0

13th

Wed 3

Manchester United

0-0

13th

Sun 7

Tottenham Hotspur

1-4

13th

Sat 13

West Bromwich Albion

1-0

12th

Sat 3

Everton

1-1

12th

Sat 10

Chelsea

1-4

13th

Mon 26

Leicester City

1-2

13th

Sat 1

Manchester City

0-2

13th

Sat 8

Sheffield United

2-0

13th

Tue 11

Southampton

1-3

13th

Sun 16

Aston Villa

Wed 19

Arsenal

Sun 23

Liverpool

official matchday programme

(10-11)

R2 5th

Jordan Ayew

Card Red Card

Cheikhou Kouyaté

Yellow

Scott Dann

Goal(s)

James Tomkins

Unused Sub

Luka Milivojevic

Used Sub

Patrick van Aanholt

Started

Joel Ward

Home Fixture Away Fixture Cup Fixture - Palace score shown first.

Jack Butland

Andros Townsend Wilfried Zaha Mamadou Sakho Wayne Hennessey Jean-Philippe Mateta Jeffrey Schlupp Nathaniel Clyne James McArthur Stephen Henderson Christian Benteke Connor Wickham James McCarthy Michy Batshuayi Gary Cahill Eberechi Eze Tyrick Mitchell Vicente Guaita Jaroslaw Jach Martin Kelly Sam Woods Nathan Ferguson Nya Kirby Reece Hannam Jaïro Riedewald

10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 31 33 34 35 36 37 38 44

Fixtures & results

Club

GD Pts

Manchester City (c)

Manchester United

Leicester City

chelsea

liverpool

west ham united

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

everton

arsenal

leeds united

Aston villa

wolverhampton wanderers

-12 45

Crystal Palace

59 -22 41

Southampton

-18 40

burnley

-14 39

newcastle united

-18 39

Brighton & Hove Albion

-5

Fulham (r)

47 -22 27

West Bromwich Albion (r)

68 -36 26

Sheffield United (r)

62 -44

Gameweek 37

premier league

All statistics correct as of 4pm Friday 14th May

MAN UTD √ fulham

newcastle √ sheffield utd

18th May 18:00

19th May 18:00

southampton √ leeds

spurs √ aston villa

18th May 18:00

19th May 18:00

brighton √ man city

crystal palace √ arsenal

18th May 19:00

19th May 19:00

chelsea √ leicester

burnley √ liverpool

18th May 20:15

19th May 20:15

everton √ wolves

west brom √ west ham

19th May 18:00

19th May 20:15

Crystal Palace and the rest of the Premier League will not tolerate racism, anywhere, and we are taking action to combat all forms of discrimination. But we can all do more. Challenge it, report it, change it, and together we can make a positive impact. Visit premierleague.com/noroomforracism to find out more. #NoRoomForRacism

Challenge it. Report it. Change it.

Crystal palace f.c. (GK) Jack BUTLAND Joel WARD Patrick VAN AANHOLT Luka MILIVOJEVIC James TOMKINS Scott DANN Cheikhou KOUYATÉ Jordan AYEW Andros TOWNSEND Wilfried ZAHA Mamadou SAKHO (GK) Wayne HENNESSEY Jean-Philippe MATETA Jeffrey SCHLUPP Nathaniel CLYNE James MCARTHUR Christian BENTEKE Connor WICKHAM James MCCARTHY Michy BATSHUAYI Gary CAHILL Eberechi EZE Tyrick MITCHELL (GK) Vicente GUAITA Martin KELLY Nathan FERGUSON Jaïro RIEDEWALD

01 02 03 04 05 06 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 31 34 36 44

arsenal f.c. 01 02 03 06 07 08 09 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 30 32 33 34 35 38 41 44 49 53 66

Bernd LENO (GK) Héctor BELLERÍN Kieran TIERNEY GABRIEL Bukayo SAKA Dani CEBALLOS Alexandre LACAZETTE Martin ØDEGAARD WILLIAN Rúnar RÚNARSSON (GK) Pierre-Emerick AUBAMEYANG Rob HOLDING Cédric SOARES Thomas PARTEY Nicolas PÉPÉ Calum CHAMBERS Pablo MARÍ David LUIZ Reiss NELSON Mohamed ELNENY Eddie NKETIAH Emile SMITH ROWE Mat RYAN (GK) Granit XHAKA Gabriel MARTINELLI Folarin BALOGUN Ben COTTRELL Karl HEIN (GK) Joel López SALGUERO Arthur OKONKWO Miguel AZEEZ