Four takeaways from Crystal Palace’s derby defeat to Arsenal – positives and problems for interim boss Paddy McCarthy

There was no fairytale start for Paddy McCarthy as Crystal Palace manager as they lost 4-1 at Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

Here are Adam Sells’ takeaways from the match in north London.

PADDY’S POSITIVES

It’s one win in 17 matches now for Palace in all competitions and 12 Premier League games without a win.

Interim boss McCarthy was unable to stop the slide at the Emirates Stadium as the Eagles were beaten by the Premier League leaders.

McCarthy spoke of the positives after the game and the chances the visitors created was certainly one of them.

Offensively, this was the best the boys from SE25 have been in some time.

Palace had five shots on target as many as their hosts. The last time they achieved more was the 2-0 victory at Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve.

PADDY’S PROBLEMS

Palace conceded four for the first time since the defeat at home to Arsenal’s north London rivals in early January.

McCarthy had such limited time in preparation for this encounter he understandably opted for the experience.

Luka Milivojevic bolstered the midfield and Joel Ward surprisingly was preferred to Nathaniel Clyne. Joachim Andersen’s calf injury in the warm-up forced McCarthy into a late change, opting for James Tomkins to fill the void in preference to Chris Richards.

Having had some time to reflect, the Richards-Clyne combination on the right-hand side may have been a better solution.

Arsenal’s mobile forwards opened Palace up too easily and young goalkeeper Joe Whitworth, playing only his second senior game, was left exposed.

SCHLUPP SHINES

Jeffrey Schlupp grabbed his second goal of the season, when he prodded home from close range in the second half.

Schlupp has struggled for form under Patrick Vieira this season but looked more like himself.

The former Leicester man is capable of seven to 10 goals a season and Palace will be hoping the utility man can add a few more in the final 10 games.

His two best games this season have seen him hit the back of the net on both occasions. More of the same please Schluppy.

FINDING THE FORMULA…

The international break provides two weeks for whoever takes charge for the rest of the season to work with the team to find the winning formula.

Vieira struggled to find the balance between a solid defensive unit and an attacking force.

Ten ‘cup finals’ await the Eagles as they fight to stay in the Premier League for an 11th successive season.

A win cannot come soon enough and the game on April 1 against Leicester at Selhurst Park could be the biggest in a very long time.