Arsene Wenger Says It's 'Inconvenient' to Talk Arsenal Future After Palace Loss

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said it would be "inconvenient" to discuss his own future following the 3-0 Premier League loss to Crystal Palace on Monday, and he also insisted it would be "very difficult" for the team to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League. 

The Gunners’ hopes of a top-four finish are in tatters after a pitiful performance at Selhurst Park, heaping further pressure on the Arsenal boss. With his contract up at the end of the campaign, naturally the 67-year-old was questioned about his future.

"My person at the moment, and especially tonight, I think it would be inconvenient to speak about me tonight," he said, per Mattias Karen of ESPN FC. "It's more painful to lose a game the way we lost it. ... I think [the fans] are extremely disappointed, and I can understand that, like we all are."

GLYN KIRK/Getty Images

Wenger also commented on the likelihood of the team ending up in the top four, as they face up to life outside of the Champions League for the first time since he took over the club in 1996.

The Frenchman said it would be "very difficult" when asked about the chances of a top-four finish.

Here’s a look at how things are shaping up at the top of the Premier League table:

R	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Chelsea	31	24	3	4	65	25	+40	75
2	Tottenham	31	20	8	3	64	22	+42	68
3	Liverpool	32	18	9	5	68	40	+28	63
4	Manchester City	31	18	7	6	60	35	+25	61
5	Manchester United	30	15	12	3	46	24	+22	57
6	Arsenal	30	16	6	8	61	39	+22	54
7	Everton	32	15	9	8	57	36	+21	54

Given the way Arsenal have performed since the turn of the year, the defeat at Selhurst Park was far from surprising.

The Eagles were more aggressive, determined and boasted superior organisation throughout a lopsided contest. It was a familiar disintegration, as the Gunners endured a similar style of defeat at West Bromwich Albion last month. As we can see here, away from home the team have really struggled:

Needless to say, supporters were far from pleased on Monday night, as chants of "you’re not fit to wear the shirt" chimed out of the away end.

Plenty of ire has been directed the way of Wenger, too, with the team making the same mistakes and showcasing the same weaknesses under his watch as they have for the last few seasons. The way in which Palace approached this game—with tenacity and industry—has been a blueprint for beating Arsenal for many years.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

In the past, Wenger has always found a way to galvanise his players at this point in the season, with impressive sequences to surge into the top-four spots. But the problems feel more severe this season and the angst in the stands is more hostile.

Oliver Kay of the Times feels as though a new contract for the veteran tactician would be a massive error of judgement:

According to a report from the Daily Mirror’s John Cross last month, a two-year contract is on the table for Wenger to sign, and the feeling is that he will extend.

Regardless of the manager’s choice, to delay his decision any longer would be folly. The uncertainty over Wenger's position has the club on hold. Clarity won’t solve all the issues that have inhibited this team, but if Arsenal are to have any chance of finishing this term on a high, you sense it must come soon.

This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

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