Departing Eze misses his Selhurst farewell as Palace attack struggles without him 

The Arsenal-bound star had been expected to play in Palace's historic European bow but was notable only by his absence 

PALACE JOUST: Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta and Fredrikstad's Maxwell Woledzi battle for the ball during the UEFA Conference League play-off match at Selhurst Park, London. Pic: John Walton/PA Wire

UEFA Conference League: CRYSTAL PALACE 1 (Mateta 54) FREDRIKSTAD FK 0 

Ringing the boss to say you're not feeling well enough to work, a day after running round full of energy, may be as unconvincing an excuse as 'the dog ate my homework'. For Eberechi Eze, Arsenal and Crystal Palace, there was a lot more at stake than a day off work – namely €80m.