We’ll show no mercy, Wilshere warns Palace

Arsenal take on Premier League new boys today in EPL.

LONDON: Jack Wilshere is convinced Arsenal will bounce back from their European disappointment when the Premier League leaders bid to cement their position at the top against managerless Crystal Palace today.

Arsene Wenger’s team suffered their first defeat in 13 matches in all competitions on Tuesday as Robert Lewandowski’s late goal gave Borussia Dortmund a 2-1 Champions League group stage win at the Emirates Stadium.

But the Gunners, currently two points clear of second placed Chelsea, have a golden opportunity to erase the bitter memory of their first loss since the opening day of the season when they travel to face crisis club Palace at Selhurst Park.

Wilshere warned Arsenal have no intention of showing any sympathy for Palace’s plight.

“We can’t let this result affect us now, especially in the Premier League where we are on a great run,” he said. “It will be tough away at Palace, it always is, they will fight for every ball and it will be a different game from Dortmund, but we still have to bounce back straight away.”

Third placed Liverpool, two points behind the leaders, host West Bromwich Albion knowing a victory would keep them firmly in contention at the top before a crunch clash at Arsenal on November 2.

Manchester United have endured a troubled start to life under new manager David Moyes and they face Stoke at Old Trafford already eight points off top spot.

United have little margin for error if they want to mount a successful title defence and Stoke boss Mark Hughes added to the pressure on Moyes by claiming his former team look vulnerable.

“You have to be careful. There are only a certain amount of games you can lose,” said Hughes.

“They have lost three and maybe they are a little bit vulnerable at the moment.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2013.

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