An angry Arsenal fan has slammed the Premier League’s loan rules after Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher inspired Crystal Palace to a thumping win over the Gunners.
Palace dented Arsenal's top four hopes with a 3-0 win at Selhurst Park on Monday night.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha all scored for Palace, while England international Gallagher produced another impressive display in midfield.
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Speaking after the match, Arsenal fan Julian expressed his frustration that Gallagher is allowed to play Chelsea’s rivals this season but not his parent club.
“One detail of why they were really good was Conor Gallagher, who I thought was absolutely exceptional,” he told AFTV after the match.
“Then I think of who he plays for. He plays for Chelsea. Who are we competing with? Chelsea.
“For me, I don’t understand this rule around loan singings. It’s all very well putting the odd player out on loan but last season Chelsea had 32 players out on loan.
“I understand why they need to go out on loan and get some experience but it almost seems like its defeating the integrity of the league.
“Because if you put these players into the same league that Chelsea are competing in, in effect you’re playing good Chelsea players when you’re not even playing Chelsea.
“However, when Palace have to play Chelsea, he’s not able to play. Explain that one.”
Gallagher joined Palace on loan from Chelsea at the start of the season and has gone on to score eight goals in 31 games for Patrick Vieira's side.
Defeat for Arsenal on Monday night leaves them fifth in the Premier League, outside the Champions League places on goal difference.
They remain level on points with fourth-place Tottenham, having played a game less than their bitter rivals, and are five points behind third-place Chelsea.
The race for the top four is set to go down to the final weeks of the season and could be decided by the rearranged north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The match, which was originally due to be played on January 16, will now be played on May 12.
Topics: Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Football, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Conor Gallagher
Rory O'Callaghan