Arsenal Champions League ambition: Gunners suffered a 3-0 defeat to Vieira's Crystal Palace in push for Top4 finish

Arsenal's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League suffered a blow on Monday night as they lost 3-0 to Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace.

Goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta, Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha secured an impressive win for Palace in front of a buoyant Selhurst Park to deal a blow to Mikel Arteta's side. The Gunners included a fresh young star in their squad for the game as 18-year-old academy graduate Marcelo Flores was named among the substitutes.

While the young Mexican midfielder didn't get on the pitch, he has enjoyed a highly impressive time at the club's Hale End academy to date. And a new date has been set for January's postponed north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

Crystal Palace recorded a shock 3-0 Premier League victory over Arsenal at Selhurst Park on Monday night to dent the visitors’ top-four hopes.

Arsenal fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday night

Arsenal fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday night(PA)

Crystal Palace talking points

Crystal Palace recorded a shock 3-0 Premier League victory over Arsenal at Selhurst Park on Monday night to dent the visitors’ top-four hopes.

Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew put the Eagles in control after 24 minutes and Wilfried Zaha’s second-half penalty added deserved gloss to the score for the hosts, who extended their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions and moved up to ninth in the table. Arsenal will remain in fifth place, behind Spurs on goal difference but with a game in hand on their rivals.