That's actually one of my favourite phrases

I'm not expecting anything tomorrow. Yes last season (both games) were cruel. Arse is going to make sure they play as dirty as possible, so it's not another defeat. Do I think we can win. No. Possibly out play them and get a point. Yes. I hate to say that, but some arsenal fans still want him gone and replaced, fa cup only served to prolong the resignation. I can see that c**t Giroud (sp?) Falling around in the d to get a dodgy penalty. I have already bought the booze for after the game. Let's hope it's celebratory rather than commiserations.

Ps sorry the c word.

seeing as we never beat Arsenal I will be well pleased with a point tomorrow.

the Bolasie to Spurs rumours have all started up again, if you believe what you read at many websites it's just a matter of when they come in with a big offer for him now not if.

I wouldn't want to see him go but I'll be honest, if they offered £15m plus Townsend I would take it.

I agree, money plus Townsend would be the best deal if he does want to leave. And I can't shake the feeling that he does.

Any point would be amazing today. But we have to beat Arsenal sometime, surely...

today's line-up:

McCarthy; Ward, Dann Delaney, Souare; Zaha, McArthur, Cabaye, Puncheon, Bolasie; Wickham.

Subs: Hennessey, Mariappa, Jedinak, Mutch, Lee, Bamford, Murray.

1-1 at half time.

somehow we're level but I'll take it. Ward was having a stinker until he equalised. our passing at the back has been questionable at times and we need to clear our lines better.

full-time: 1-2

same old, same old. 3 things in life are guaranteed as a Palace fan...

taxes
death
getting beat by Arsenal

I think from now on whenever we play Arsenal I'll just go out for the day instead - the end result is just oh so predictable.

Apart from the goal Ward had a poor game. Midfield needs Jedi or Ledley in there (where is the latter??) Wickham did alright. Lost count how many times Zaha gave the ball away. Still can't see what Mutch brings to the table.

And for the first time in his tenure Pardew got his subs totally wrong IMO.

it's great having all this flair, pace etc in midfield but you need to have someone in there to break things up, to do the dirty work... cabaye, punch and mccarthur are class & work hard but for an all out bruiser you need one of ledley or jedi in there from the start...

apart from the goal ward was a liability... his positioning and general defending were well off today... i wouldn't mind seeing mariappa back in at right back for a bit...

bolasie didn't look match fit at all, zaha got himself in to some great positions but he let himself down too much... wickham had a promising game, should have scored...

the ref was atrocious and weak, he should have sent coguelin off and he just bottled it...

Yeah, agree with that. Although he did nothing nasty, Coquelin can count himself lucky that he stayed on, his fouling was persistent and should have warranted two yellows. Poor refereeing.

I made him indoors watch the game, and he said from the tv version the ref put his hand to get the card, soon as we surrounded him, he retracted.

Even so he should have been sent off, he had three tackles which were deserving of a yellow. I'm happy for players to be given a warning, for the first tackle but the ref didn't want to red him and still can't work out why. (Unless arsene left a brown envelope in the ref's dressing room)

Ward was a weak link, yes he scored but was at fault for their first goal. Souaré I was impressed with like Dann. Mccarthy made some very good saves but other situations a little confused, but that comes with confidence. I don't know what our midfield were up to. Whickham had a good game I think, lone striker and with not much time to gel. Mutch for bolasie was a very strange sub. Bit disappointed than Ledley/Mile just don't feature atm.

Villa next week, hopefully a point will do. Like the win but we'll see

worrying that not only has Ledley not made the bench for the opening 2 matches but also Lee & Mutch are being selected ahead of him. I know it's a squad game but at the very least he should be a sub.

Just makes the Ledley rumours even more strong I guess?

I really hope not. But it does make you wonder doesn't it? With Wales looking like they will be at the Euros next summer Ledley will be wanting first team football not sitting in the stands or on the bench for the most part.

Ward was given a lot of problems and Zaha/Bolasie were kept relatively quiet, but we were playing against an Arsenal who were much better than last week.

Two seasons in a row we've hit the post and narrowly lost to them. It's bloody frustrating playing Arsenal.

wasn't just that, his all round distribution & positional play was poor and effectively cost us both goals...

...if we sell ledley in this window i will be extremely pissed off.

Ledley is one of the few players, that everyone agrees on. I haven't heard a fan yet say "I don't rate him" obviously we'll all be pissed off. But like above he's first team in a national squad (yes only Wales but still) and for him [i]not[\I] to play regular first team football is indeed a quandary.

or how about we accept £20m for him then go use some of that to go and bring Moses back home?

^ i'd be well pleased with that scenario...

bolasie speaking to the sunday times...

Just imagine an attack of Moses, Zaha and Puncheon. Then Williams getting over his injuries and soon enough Kai-Kai coming through.

We'd just need Clyne back from Liverpool then.

I'd pick Moses over Bolasie any day of the week. Two years younger and a better all round player. Nice to dream!

The Murray & Bournemouth rumours have started up again, this time them wanting him on loan.

the most important palace quiz you will ever take...

link

i got 12/15.

Love it!

14/15. Bloody Nick Chatterton!


Hull the latest club to be linked to Dwight Gayle.

Oh boo. Only got 10/15. Will always remember sasa though.

13/15 for me. messed up on Chatterton & Campana.

Parish speaks about Bolasie and a couple other things on 5Live breakfast this morning... Link