Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has given an update as to why talisman Wilfried Zaha missed the clash with Arsenal on Monday night. Vieira spent nine years with the Gunners between 1996 and 2005, and will have been hoping to make a positive impression on a group of fans who still adore him. But there is no doubting that the absence of Zaha will have proven a big set-back and possibly a big boost to the home side. Before the match, Vieira admitted to Sky Sports that his star man missed the match with illness. Zaha had spent time away with Ivory Coast during the international break and has been feeling unwell ever since touching down in London.
Patrick Viera said: “He came back from international [duty] and he wasn’t feeling well at all. He didn’t have any kind of training with the team, so we decided to leave him at home. He is feeling better, but it wasn’t good enough for him to be part of this one today. We have a squad, we have players who can perform, and players who are waiting to get their chance. Today is about them trying to perform as well as they can for the team.”
Zaha already has two goals and one assist for the Eagles in the Premier League this season and seemed to be thriving under Vieira’s more ambitious, free-flowing style. Prior to the Arsenal game, Palace sat in 14th place after seven games, including an impressive 3-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park.
