manager Patrick Vieira was full of praise for loanee Conor Gallagher following the midfielder’s performance in the Eagles’ 3-0 win over on Monday night.
First-half goals from Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Jordan Ayew put Vieira’s side in control under the lights at Selhurst Park, before a late Wilfried Zaha penalty made sure of the victory for the home team against a lacklustre Gunners side.
The result moves Palace up to ninth in the table and extends their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions, while Arsenal stay fifth, level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur but with a game in hand over their north London rivals.
After the match, Vieira had nothing but admiration for his players and singled out Gallagher in particular, saying: ‘The energy that he brings to the team – it allows other players to follow him behind.
‘The majority of the time he is the one who starts the pressing and puts on the pressure. That really forces the players behind to follow and to reduce the distances between the lines. He is a massive player.’
While many of Palace’s players have impressed this season, including winger Michael Olise and centre-back Marc Guehi, it is Gallagher who has had the biggest impact since arriving on loan from Chelsea last summer.
The 22-year-old has scored eight goals and made five assists already this campaign, aiding the south London side in their run to the FA Cup semi-finals, and catching the eye of Gareth Southgate, who gave Gallagher his England debut last year, with many now tipping him to make the Three Lions squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Vieira added: ‘There are a lot of people talking about the goals he has scored and that is good for the team, but the work ethic and the passion that he is showing every day is something that is a huge plus for us as a team.’
Gallagher’s future with Palace is unclear however, with the Chelsea loanee set to return to Stamford Bridge in the summer but Vieira will no doubt be interesting in re-signing the midfielder should the opportunity present itself.
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