Crystal Palace strengthened their survival bid and dented Arsenal’s top-four hopes with a superb 3-0 win at Selhurst Park on Monday Night Football.
Andros Townsend gave Crystal a 1-0 lead with a close-range finish on 17 minutes, despite Arsenal’s dominance in possession in the first period.
The Gunners were second best after the break, and it was 2-0 just after the hour mark through Yohan Cabaye’s looping effort, before Luka Milivojevic put home team three ahead from the penalty spot after Emiliano Martinez brought down Townsend.
Arsenal woes
The result left Arsene Wenger’s side seven points off fourth-placed Manchester City albeit with a game in hand, while Palace are six points clear of the relegation zone, also with a game in hand.
Arsenal have now lost four consecutive Premier League away games for the first time under Wenger, leaving them 20 points off Chelsea at the top and the same distance off Crystal Palace.
Both sides were unchanged for the clash after the midweek fixtures, and it was Arsenal who went closest early on, with Mohamed Elneny forcing Wayne Hennessey into a good save from long range.