James McArthur supplies adamant answer when asked about if Vieira and De Boer had same approach at Palace

Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur says that he “wouldn’t compare” life under Patrick Vieira to the parallels some within the game have made to Frank de Boer’s Selhurst Park tenure.

McArthur, who is the third-highest appearance holder for the South Londoners in the Premier League, has been at the club since 2014. The 33-year-old has started every Premier League game under Vieira and been named vice-captain by the French World Cup winner.

Since Vieira took over, the Eagles have been swept aside by Chelsea, drew 0-0 with a buoyant Brentford and crashed out of the EFL Cup to a weakened Watford side, with early comparisons drawn to De Boer’s time at Crystal Palace.

When McArthur was asked how different life has been under Vieira from the one he previously encountered with De Boer, who was sacked after five games in charge, he asserted: “I wouldn’t compare them one bit.

“I wouldn’t like to speak about any other manager, but the manager now who has come in has brought a real energy, a real drive, a real winning mentality, the knowledge of football, understanding of tactics and how to play everyone – it’s second to none.

“He obviously played at a top, top level, and you can see that in the way he wants us to play.”

Despite taking the lead twice at the London Stadium on Saturday, Vieira’s side displayed a determined performance to claw their way back – thanks to a Conor Gallagher double – to walk away with a point.

McArthur, who set up Gallagher for his second, said: “It shows a lot of character as well, especially when you’re not winning football matches. It’s a process to try and get better and try to win football matches. To come back when you have been down twice shows real resilience and character.

“All of the signings have been excellent. For him [Gallagher] today, it’s a really special moment for him, to get two goals for the club and to get a good point away from home.”

Palace allowed several of the club’s stalwarts, who were crucial in keeping the Eagles in the top-flight, to depart this summer, with Gary Cahill, Scott Dann and Andros Townsend leaving.

Although McArthur acknowledges that it was “hard to see” those players leave, he added: “That’s part of football, that’s the way it goes. I have been around long enough to understand that.

“To see some friends leave, obviously, it was hard to see them go, but at the same time, it’s a new chapter.

“We move on, and we bring these younger lads in and try, as an experienced player, to help them grow and make the club stronger.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD