Roy Hodgson sacking demanded by Crystal Palace fans after nightmare Arsenal defeat - 'Has to go'

Roy Hodgson sacking demanded by Crystal Palace fans after nightmare Arsenal defeat - 'Has to go'

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Arsenal hammer Crystal Palace

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 20/01/2024

- 15:16

The Eagles were beaten 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday

Crystal Palace fans have demanded the club sack Roy Hodgson in the wake of their nightmare 5-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday.

The Eagles went into the game hoping to improve having struggled for form prior to the winter break.


But Arsenal ran riot on home turf to pick up all three points and boost their chances of winning the Premier League title.

Gabriel put the Gunners ahead, with an own goal from Dean Henderson doubling their advantage.

Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson has faced a backlash from Crystal Palace fans after his side lost to Arsenal

GETTY

Leandro Trossard scored Arsenal's third goal of the game, with a late brace from Gabriel Martinelli then completing the rout.

Palace were poor throughout and pressure is building on Hodgson as a result.

The 76-year-old replaced Patrick Vieira last year but, though he initially did well, his side have regressed in the time since.

And angry fans on X have now called on Palace to sack Hodgson and appoint a new, younger manager instead.

"Hodgson has to go tonight..surely," said one user.

A second said: "Roy walk please."

A third weighed in by saying: "Ah man I'm going to be so happy once he's gone... Gonna be like Christmas."

A fourth stated: "Felt so bad seeing Roy on camera after the fifth.

"Go enjoy retirement, sipping a cocktail on the Algarve in the sun."

And a fifth demanded: "Don’t even let Hodgson get to the media, sack him on the pitch."

Graham Potter was in attendance to watch the match, with the former Chelsea boss still available following his departure from the Blues last year.

And whether Palace do sack Hodgson remains to be seen.

Theo Walcott played under the veteran during his playing days, when Hodgson was manager of England.

He feels the Palace boss might choose to walk away and retire in the wake of such a crushing and devastating result.

Walcott said: "Roy Hodgson has been brilliant for Crystal Palace, but it comes to a point eventually where you think, 'When do I stop?'

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Roy Hodgson Crystal Palace Arsenal

Roy Hodgson cut a tired figure as Arsenal battered his Crystal Palace side on Saturday

GETTY

"If you are thinking of the team and the club itself and the next generation of managers coming through, who individualise the players they coach, you think maybe it is time for a change.

"Take Graham Potter for example, who is in the stands there today, he could be a good option if Roy does leave.

"I think this result today and the way Palace have ended the game has been pretty poor."

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he was pleased with his side's performance - but wants more aggression from them in the future.

"Very pleased, clean sheet and five goals, win the game and performance," he said.

"I had a really good feeling after we left the stadium after Liverpool, the performance was there but the results were not.

Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson was unable to save Crystal Palace as Arsenal ran riot on Saturday afternoon

GETTY

"Today we were much more efficient in the opponents' box particularly than the last few games. Last few games we had moments playing better than today but this is about scoring goals.

"Set pieces are a big part of us, especially against teams that want to defend deeply. It is a good way to win games.

"The success of last season was the amount of players who scored more than 10 goals and we are going to have to do that again.

"We used moments of the game we knew could exploit really, really well. The subs did really well and had a big impact. Everyone was really focused.

"This is the second part of the season we want to tackle it with a lot of aggression and motivation.

"I would like to play three days after but it is what it is! We will keep preparing and we must continue to do better and improve as a team."

You may like