Mikel Arteta refutes claims pressure of top-four race got to Arsenal at Palace

Mikel Arteta saw Arsenal suffer a damaging 3-0 defeat away to Crystal Palace (John Walton/PA)

Mikel Arteta defended his Arsenal players and refuted claims the pressure of the top-four race had got to them after Monday’s 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace but conceded it was an “unacceptable” result.

The Gunners were blown away by their old captain Patrick Vieira, who saw his side go two up inside 24 minutes through Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew before Wilfried Zaha’s late penalty added some deserved gloss.