Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal has called on his teammates to get their season up and running when they face Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners crashed to a shock defeat at the hands of London rivals West Ham United on the opening day of 2015-16 campaign and their title credentials have been questioned as a result of the poor performance at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Monreal inisists the squad are desperate to make amends for last weekend’s result, but recognises the difficult task that awaits them at Selhurst Park against an Eagles outfit, who have been significantly strengthened by the arrival of Yohan Cabaye during the summer:
“We have played many times against them away from home and we have won each time but we know they are a difficult team,” the Spaniard told the club’s official website.
“They have really good players who are physically hard. We know it will be a difficult game but after losing our first match, we must win.”
“We have to play like we know how. If every player gives 100 per cent then I think we will have many options to win the game.”
“Obviously we have to make a perfect game from the first minute to the last and if we do that, I think we will win,” Monreal added.
Recent history suggests the Gunners will come out on top against the South Londoners as Arsene Wenger’s side have won the last four meetings between the two clubs and goals from Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud gave the visitors a 2-1 win in the corresponding fixture last season.
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