Arsenal followers all say the identical factor because the Gunners are surprised by early strike

Arsenal fans have all said the same thing after Mikel Arteta’s side found themsleves behind after just four minutes against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup

Arsenal fans have fumed Mikel Arteta is too stubborn after conceding early doors to Crystal Palace.

The Eagles made the short trip across London to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday (December 18) for their Carabao Cup quarter-final clash. And it took just four minutes for Jean-Philippe Mateta to find the net.

Mateta pinned himself against Jakub Kiwior as he latched onto a long ball from shot-stopper Dean Henderson, rolling the defender and sticking the ball past David Raya. “Arteta is just too stubborn,” one fan fumed.

“Arteta playing this team tonight shows how arrogant he is, instead of focusing on winning a cup to at least paper over the cracks in the league he chooses to be stubborn,” a second said.

“As good as Arteta is, he’s too stubborn to learn the basics, play players in their natural positions and that will eventually be his Achilles heel,” a third fumed. And another added: “Arteta is a clown. Partey at RB is his doom very stubborn coach!”

Speaking ahead of the game in his press conference, Arteta said: “We have managed the squad in the best possible way to make sure everybody is fit and available, feels part of it and is ready when the team needs them.

“If we have to make changes, I’m sure that the boys who come in will have that and others will have to play as well because of the numbers.”

He added: “Very tough – when you look at the last results and the approach that they [Crystal Palace] have, the quality of the individuals that they have, how they are coached as well.

“It’s always really tough, it’s another layer of difficulty as well when you play a team twice in four days, so we have prepared for that.”