‘We need to wake up and improve the small details’

Four games, two draws, two defeats:: there can be no denying that our start to 2018 has been disappointing.

For large periods of last weekend’s loss at Bournemouth, it seemed as though we were on course for a much-needed victory, before two goals in five minutes consigned us to defeat. 

“It had been a long week really and we obviously weren’t happy with it at all,” Granit Xhaka said. “We’ve tried to put it to one side now. We’ve watched it back, we’ve watched details of what worked and what didn’t work so well and now we’re focused on the next game.

“I’m someone who doesn’t like losing anyway, but especially when you are the better team for 70 minutes, go 1-0 up and have it in your own hands. To then lose it from there did feel like a bit of a slap in the face.

“We’ve got three games coming up now which are hugely important and will show which direction we are going in. We need to wake up. We need to improve the small things, the small details and if we do that, I am sure we will get on the right path again.

“We are happy to be back [at the Emirates]. We have got a lot of points this season at home. Palace are a good side and they are doing well. They are on a good run. 

“They made it difficult for us recently when we played them. They are solid at the back and up front they have got talent as well with the likes of Zaha and Benteke. For us, we are at home, we need the three points and that is very much the objective.”