Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal: "I would be tempted to say we deserved something from the game. When they went down to 10 men we gave it our best shot but they are a top quality team and they were able to defend the efforts we had.

"I think the penalty was a harsh decision but the block on the player who was doing the job of defending. We had a man who was going to make it into that area had he not been blocked. It is not totally a case of switching off but you have to give credit to the Arsenal quick thinking and the quality of the pass, but that is why they are where they are.

"They got a lot of bodies around the goalkeeper so we couldn't get through the cordon but that is often the case. There were very few disappointments in the game for me in terms of the Crystal Palace performance. On another day I think we would be feeling even happier and proud of ourselves."

Speaking to Sky Sports about the performance he said: "I think it tells us the direction we need to get to, we need a little bit more help in terms of the forward areas. But we are working on that."

Did you know?

Nine of the last 11 Premier League goals Crystal Palace have conceded have come from set pieces (three penalties, five corners, one free kick) – since Roy Hodgson returned to the club in April it’s the joint-most in the competition (Nottingham Forest also 9).

Alex Howell, BBC Sport

Roy Hodgson will be left thinking that if he had a bit more firepower on the bench his Crystal Palace side could have got something from their 0-1 loss to Arsenal.

The Eagles only named eight substitutes and did not have a senior attacking striker on the bench.

They started in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Eberechi Eze and Odsonne Edouard the furthest forward for Palace.

They didn’t create many clear cut chances in the first half but after the sending off of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hodgson’s side had the majority of the ball for the last 20 minutes of the game.

Palace brought on academy graduate Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who won Charlton’s player of the year after his loan to the League One side last season, and Naouirou Ahamada as they were chasing the game, but their lack of experienced Premier League level attackers was clear.

Palace do have Michael Olise and Matheus Franca to come back from injury but with two weeks of the window left Hodgson will be hoping they get some reinforcements in before the deadline.

Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward, speaking to Sky Sports after the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal: "I think we definitely deserved something out of the game, the way we played as a unit today. We went toe to toe with them and it was one moment that maybe caught us off guard. It is one of those - sometimes you get them and sometimes you don't and this time it went against us.

"You have to make sure you are alert and switched on. Everyone has to come alive when the ball is dead. It is disappointing but we take it on the chin. We know if we play like we did tonight, going toe to toe with one of the best sides in world football right now, we have a great foundation to build on."

Arsenal secured a hard-earned win in their first away league game of the season as Martin Odegaard's penalty proved enough for victory with 10 men at Crystal Palace.

Odegaard converted when Eddie Nketiah was fouled by Palace keeper Sam Johnstone after the break but Takehiro Tomiyasu was dismissed for two contentious bookings with a quarter of the fixture remaining.

Palace rallied and applied late pressure but the Gunners visibly took joy in defending their lead and duly saw out seven minutes of added time, prompting manager Mikel Arteta to punch the air after securing this tricky three points.

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Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward has "full confidence" in his side as they prepare to face Arsenal on Monday.

The Eagles lost both games against the Gunners last season, losing 2-0 at Selhurst Park and 4-1 at Emirates Stadium.

"I think what Arsenal did last year took people by surprise in some way," Ward told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"There's pressure on them now to emulate that and kick on a bit more. We know it will be a tough test, but we know the environment we can create at Selhurst makes it difficult for teams to come.

"Hopefully we can impose our game just as much as they do theirs. If we can do that, and nullify their game as much as we can, then we can hurt them.

"I've got full confidence in that."

On Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, he added: "They're brilliant professionals. What they want to do and how they want to improve is second to none.

"It’s inspirational seeing how they want to improve, day in and day out. I think when you have characteristics like they do, then the world is your oyster."

Chris Sutton will be making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of rivals. Next up is DJ, producer and Newcastle fan Anish Kumar.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Arsenal went to Selhurst Park at the start of last season and won 2-0 in what was seen as a statement win, given how often they have dropped points against Palace in recent seasons.

Palace looked good against Sheffield United last weekend and, even at 76, their manager Roy Hodgson showed he is up for the fight in his skirmish with Max Lowe.

Arsenal have got Jurrien Timber out injured, which is a bit of a blow, but I still think the Gunners' firepower will see them through.

Anish's prediction: Arsenal are looking to go one better in the league this year, so they'll have to start strong. 1-3

Find out what Sutton and Anish predicted for the rest of the weekend's action here

Nicola Pearson, BBC Sport

After already losing longstanding talisman Wilfried Zaha, it felt imperative that Crystal Palace didn't lose any of their young talents this summer too.

So the news of Michael Olise signing a new four year contract after reports of Chelsea triggering a release clause will come as a relief to the club and fans.

The 21-year-old has been one of the Eagles key contributors to their forward play, with his 120 attacking sequence involvements coming second only to Eberiche Eze at the club and three more than the departed Zaha last season.

In fact, his overall 72 Premier League chances created was 15 more than any other Palace player in 2022-23.

It was his crossing ability that proved particularly effective, with only Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold attempting more than Olise's 243 in the league last campaign.

This was a helpful asset to his teammates, with the France U21 international making 11 assists during the campaign, bettered only by three other players and matched by just Bukayo Saka for the under-21 age bracket. No mean feat in a team who found themselves in a relegation battle with just a few weeks of the season remaining.

If Palace can continue to ward off interest for their young talent in the coming transfer windows then the future looks a bright one for the south London side.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea backed out of the deal to sign France Under-21 winger Michael Olise, when Crystal Palace informed club lawyers they would consider taking the case to a tribunal. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Jay Crame, The Eagles Beak, external

It is the time of year where it is so hard to know what to believe but the majority of Palace fans were resigned to losing Michael Olise to Chelsea this week.

The departure of Wilfried Zaha has already hit hard and to lose a player of the calibre of the French youth international as well would have been hard to deal with.

So to see Steve Parish break the news that Olise had signed a new four year deal has been massive for the club, and for once, Chelsea do not get their own way.

It is also very positive to hear the chairman say in addition that it would take a considerable offer for any players to leave the club before the end of the transfer window.

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Alex Howell, BBC Sport

Roy Hodgson has been speaking to the media following the news that winger Michael Olise has signed a new contract at the club and before the match against Arsenal on Monday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Olise's new deal, he said: "It's the best possible news that we could have. I’m just delighted, and I must congratulate Steve Parish and Doug Freedman for the fantastic job they’ve done in persuading him."

• He admits the new contract came as a "massive surprise" and added: "It did come as a big surprise after training. They can spring as many of those surprises on me as they like and i don’t care when they do it."

• Hodgson on speaking to Olise: "I had a long chat with him and made it clear to him how much I enjoy working with him, what respect I have for him as a player, and what potential I think he has as a player. I also made it clear to him that I’m not going to put you under unnecessary pressure."

• On potential transfers incoming, he said: "It wouldn't surprise me if they had some because they are good in those last weeks of the transfer window."

• Fitness-wise, Will Hughes, Malcolm Ebiowei, Mattehus Franca and Michael Olise are all out for the match against Arsenal.

We asked for your thoughts on the Crystal Palace squad as a host of clubs seem set to target key members in the transfer window.

Here's what you had to say:

Simon: People are forgetting that Guehi, Anderson and Eze are also being looked at. This could be a disastrous window and, as usual, Palace seem to have left it late with recruitment. Happy with Lerma and Franca but a good striker is needed and cover for players that might leave.

Herbie: They say "all is fair in love and war" but the Premier League does not appear very fair when it comes to Palace. The big boys with money think there is a them and us. And unless the league does something about it, there will be more 'Palaces' and that will not be good for the future of the league.

Bill: Having been a Palace fan for over 25 years and now living in Norway, you have no idea how overjoyed I am having kept Michael Olise. I was really panicking having already lost Zaha and possibly Doucoure as well. Tonight I will celebrate!

Banger: I do realise Palace are a feeder to the bigger clubs in the Premier League, but I do believe this is why Roy was brought in. He came with what was a good young developing team with a good spine. I feel in the background the owners were aware players could get picked off before the start of the season and knew Roy would work with what he had.

Paul: We need to resist all these approaches by these clubs to poach our best players. If we don't, we'll end up like Southampton who sold players and ended up relegated, we could have a good season if we hold on to our best team.

Ron: Yes we are the team clubs like to poach from. I have been a supporter all my life (70 Years) and I actually thought we at last had a team to do very well this season. But if Doucoure goes, and I am sure someone will come in for Eze next, that will be the Premier League gone and back to the old days of the Championship.

Simon: I think there is unnecessary panic here. Only Zaha has gone. Olise hasn't gone and neither has anyone else significantly. If Liverpool want Doucoure it's now going to be minimum £90m for him (as we know they have the cash and this is the going rate). We won't be bullied by anyone. Just because a club bids, doesn't mean we have to accept it.

Bill: What is the point of Palace being in the Premier League? They have zero chance of competing if they keep getting their assets stripped by bigger clubs. I'm thinking of packing up watching them after 60 years of doing so.

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson says Michael Olise's new contract is the "best possible news" for the club.

"I had been concerned," he said. "It’s always concerning when a club of Chelsea’s stature take interest in a player, and people will suggest that a move to them might be the best bet.

“I had always hoped that wouldn’t be the case and that Michael would realise that at such a young age his future here is very bright, and we can help him move very quickly on to another level.

“I am delighted for the club, and I must congratulate Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman on the fantastic job they have done in persuading him that, even though there was pressure from outside, 'this is your place and this is where we think you will progress in the right way and develop in the right way'.

“To lose a player like Wilfried Zaha and then to lose Olise, that would have changed my perception as coach."

Image source, Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has announced Michael Olise has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

Parish wrote on Instagram:, external "I’m absolutely delighted to announce @m.olise has decided to commit his future to Crystal Palace football club and this afternoon signed a new four year deal with the club."

The 21-year-old had been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea and on Tuesday, it was reported that the Stamford Bridge club had activated a release clause in the region of £35m.

He has made a total of 71 appearances for the Eagles, scoring six goals.

How significant is this for Palace? Have your say here

With Liverpool reportedly stepping up their interest in Cheick Doucoure, Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards assesses the situation at Crystal Palace: "Liverpool have obviously got the money given they were willing to splash £111m on Moises Caicedo from Brighton.

"Doucoure is a very good player but poor Crystal Palace. Wilfried Zaha left, it looks like Michael Olise is leaving... if Doucoure left as well, I think they have been the whipping boys of this window. Their players keep getting poached.

"Roy Hodgson will need every ounce of the experience he has collected through the years to stop their season unravelling. You don't really win or lose anything in a transfer window - it's just recruitment - but Palace could have a difficult season ahead if they lose Doucoure as well."

Are you concerned about the Palace squad? Or are things just fine? Tell us here

Listen to the rest of today's Transfer Gossip Daily

Liverpool are stepping up their efforts to sign Crystal Palace and Mali midfielder Cheick Doucoure. (Independent), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Alex Howell, BBC Sport

The Eagles' first win of the season meant that the feeling around Selhurst Park was optimistic after beating Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

However, since then the transfer window has shifted some pressure onto the Eagles.

Palace had already lost talisman Wilfried Zaha on a free transfer to Galatsaray this summer but after bringing in Matheus Franca and Jefferson Lerma, it looked like the squad rebuild was going to plan.

That was before Chelsea activated the release clause in Michael Olise’s contract and they look set to complete his signing. Losing Olise and Zaha in the same window would mean that the pressure will be on to bring in signings to replace their goal output.

Zaha scored seven goals, while Olise produced 11 assists and two goals last season.

19-year-old Franca is very highly rated but replacing that level of goal output will mean that Eagles will more than likely need to sign someone of proven quality to produce at the Premier League level.

Roy Hodgson had called for more support in the transfer market in his first press conference of the season and following Chelsea’s move for Olise, he will be feeling the need for recruitment more urgently than before.

• Crystal Palace have won just one of their last eight Premier League meetings with Arsenal (D4 L3), a 3-0 home win in April 2022.

• Arsenal won both Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace last season, having won just one of their previous eight against the Eagles beforehand (D5 L2).

• The Gunners won 10 of their 12 Premier League London derbies last season – a record number of London derby league wins by a team in a season in Football League history – drawing the other two.

• Odsonne Édouard scored the winner in Crystal Palace’s 1-0 victory over Sheffield United on MD1 – the only player to score in Palace’s first two games of a Premier League season is Wilfried Zaha in 2020-21.

• Bukayo Saka has featured in each of Arsenal's last 81 Premier League games. If he plays in this match, he will equal Paul Merson's club record of playing in 82 in a row in the competition, set between February 1995 and February 1997.

Former Premier League defender Steve Brown on the evolution of Crystal Palace under Roy Hodgson on BBC Radio London's The Far Post podcast: "This team is a completely different animal to the first time he managed the club.

"The narrative then was to do what it says on then tin to keep Palace up, but it was hard work to watch. Yet you know that Roy is a very good coach - you don't do what he has done without being one.

"Last time he got the best result he could with that outfit. He has assessed this one and it is completely different. Having nearly 600 passes in one game [against Sheffield United] and 24 shots used to be unheard of."

BBC Radio London sports editor Phil Parry added: "It was a breath of fresh air on Saturday and you can still see how much it means to Roy. I know players are still talked about as perhaps heading for the exit but that was a very positive start."

Listen to the full discussion from 18'20 on BBC Sounds

Listen to BBC Radio London commentary on Fulham v Brentford (Saturday, 15:00 BST - FM & DAB), West Ham v Chelsea (Sunday, 16:30 - DAB and via BBC Sport website) and Crystal Palace v Arsenal (Monday, 20:00 - DAB).