The talking points from Crystal Palace’s 3-2 loss at Arsenal: Lack of VAR a big problem and Eagles lacked ball-carriers in EFL Cup tie

Crystal Palace lost 3-2 at Arsenal in their EFL Cup quarter-final clash on Wednesday night.

Here are Adam Sells’ talking points from the tie in north London.

NO SUBSTITUTE FOR QUALITY

In a pulsating cup tie at The Emirates Stadium, Palace bowed out in valiant fashion, when it had looked for a long period that they may return south of the river with a place in the semi-finals.

Leading 1-0 at the break, a second-half hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus saw Arsenal home, as the Brazilian was given the freedom of north London to score unopposed three times.

With the home side behind following Jean-Philippe Mateta’s fourth-minute strike, Mikel Arteta was able to send on the big guns, introducing Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, while Oliver Glasner’s withdrawal of Mateta massively backfired.

The absence of the big French striker meant Palace didn’t have an out ball and the home side were able to force their opponents back for much of the final half hour.

Eberechi Eze also left the field at the same time as Mateta and although not in his richest vein of form, his ability to secure the ball and get his team a breather is a big help.

Palace are missing ball carriers that get the team up the pitch quickly and on nights like this it is telling.

NO VAR – NO REPRIEVE

VAR was not in use during the tie and there had to be a moment where the drawing of lines was required.

The moment in question came in the 73rd minute, when Jesus put Arsenal ahead for the first time in the contest and it may have been the game’s pivotal moment as he appeared to be marginally offside.

The use of VAR does not come into effect in the competition until the semi-final stage, and how Palace could have done with it here.

Though many are opposed to it, getting the right outcome in any game should always be paramount.

It is hard from players, staff and fans alike to come away from a rip-roaring cup game having given their all, only to learn that an injustice may have cost them a place in the last four.

EDDIE MAKES HIS MARK

One plus from the encounter was Eddie Nketiah getting on the scoresheet on his old stomping ground.

The forward has been used mainly as a deeper number 10 for the bulk on his minutes on the pitch since his arrival in SE25 and it has seemed that the diminutive forward’s confidence may have taken a knock.

There is no doubt he has quality, but what is beyond doubt is that he is very much a ‘fox-in-the-box’ type.

Sharp, with great movement and an excellent finisher in front of goal, his header that gave Palace late hope from Nathaniel Clyne’s cross was majestic.

Though he has yet to register in the Premier League, his manager will be hoping his two goals in the EFL Cup will give him a huge lift in confidence.

EZE LOVE

The England international has yet to catch fire this season in a Palace shirt and him hitting form will be critical if Palace are to push on and climb the table.

Eze is, without question, the best attacking talent within the squad and seems to have a positive approach to go with it.

Since arriving at Selhurst Park, one thing that has been clearly apparent is confidence is a huge factor within his game.

Having enjoyed a great start to his Palace career under Roy Hodgson, the mercurial former Queens Park Rangers playmaker lost his way towards the end of Patrick Vieira’s time in the hot seat.

It is said that Vieira adopted a ‘tough love’ approach to handling Eze and after Hodgson returned it was like a switch had been flicked and within a week he was bang in form.

Managing his return from injury, Eze has been substituted in all five matches, averaging 66 minutes per game.

It is key that Ebs is shown the love in this spell, and he is back thriving in a Palace shirt for 90-plus minutes and producing those moments that tip the scales in the side’s favour.

PICTURES: ALAMY