A verdict from an Arsenal legend on Crystal Palace’s recent struggles makes for ominous reading. The Eagles are in action tonight (February 19th) against Bosnian outfit Zrinjski Mostar.
Palace have travelled to the Bijeli Brijeg Stadium in Mostar for the first leg of their Europa Conference League play-off tie. A disappointing league phase for Oliver Glasner’s side resulted in a 10th-placed finish.
The bookies had the Eagles down as one of the favourites to win the competition at the start of the season. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown no longer believes that’s the case after watching Glasner’s men falter as of late.
Palace suffered a frustrating 3-2 loss away to Burnley in the Premier League last weekend. A two-nil lead was squandered in a chaotic first half at Turf Moor.
Arsenal icon has doubts over Crystal Palace
That capitulation didn’t come as much of a surprise, given the team’s nosedive from the glorious 2024-25 FA Cup-winning campaign. A difficult season has coincided with high-profile departures following Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi’s moves to Arsenal and Manchester City.
Keown assessed the situation and appeared to doubt Palace’s chances of winning the Conference League. He said on TNT Sports:
“When you look at their results, no, I am not that comfortable that that really is the case although you know this manager now has already declared that he’s on his way. So this would be a fitting way for that manager who is the most successful manager in the club’s history to go in that manner.”
Glasner guided Palace to their first major trophy last season when his side beat Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley. He then led the Eagles to the Community Shield with a 3-2 win on penalties over Liverpool in this season’s curtain raiser.
The South Londoners’ league form has been a real concern, with 10 losses in 26 games. They have won just one of their last five games across competitions.
Keown added:
“What I’ve seen recently, the Burnley game, and it seems like he lost the players. It was just very loose in that second half and a Burnley team that hadn’t won in sixteen games overturned them. So you kind of wonder what’s there, under the bonnet.”
Glasner announced in mid-January that he is leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season. His comments on Guehi’s exit sparked speculation that Palace could part ways before June.
The club decided to continue with the Austrian coach and Keown stressed what he needs to do to turn the tide:
“All is not well in the Crystal Palace garden but I feel this manager just needs to keep at the players and getting a response. We’ve seen so many managers leave clubs, Moyes went and Klopp left, and the players didn’t then perform and I feel there’s a little bit about that at Palace at the moment.”
"You kind of wonder what’s there, under the bonnet"
Martin Keown is completely convinced by what he’s seen from Oliver Glasner’s side in recent weeks 👀
Palace are heavy favourites to beat Zrinjski in both legs. A meeting with either Bundesliga side Mainz or Cypriot outfit AEK Larnaca awaits the winners of the play-off tie.
The perfect Glasner send-off
In an ideal world, the ending of Glasner’s incredible reign as Crystal Palace manager is to see him lift the Europa Conference League trophy. The 51-year-old will have to get his players back on track amid their struggles as of late.
The Austrian knows all about winning a European trophy, having led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory back in 2022. He is somewhat of a specialist in European competition.
❤️💙🦅 Took over in February 2024, won two trophies for Crystal Palace.
Oliver Glasner delivering once again, after the Europa League trophy at Eintracht Frankfurt. Excellent coach. pic.twitter.com/zsbsSW7XVk
Glasner arguably possesses the strongest squad of any of the remaining teams in the Conference League. Should he get them firing on all cylinders, it could go a long way in placing another trophy in the club’s trophy cabinet back at Selhurst.
Matthew Guyett is an experienced sports journalist who has over five years of covering European football and the Premier League. He has a passion for the sport which is told through his writing.
