James McArthur’s important message for his Crystal Palace teammates before the season finale

James McArthur is leading with hope and determination as Palace navigate a difficult end to the season.
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Crystal Palace’s unsung hero James McArthur has called on his teammates not to let their heads drop, after what has been a largely positive first season under Patrick Vieira.

The Eagles are in poor form, losing three of their last four games in all competitions - and looked deflated after the crushing FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea at Wembley.

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The South London side are still in a healthy position in the Premier League, on 38 points, but they risk being sucked down the table if they continue  to lose matches that they should be winning.

 Jeffrey Schlupp of Crystal Palace celebrates with teammates after scoring their team’s first goal (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) Jeffrey Schlupp of Crystal Palace celebrates with teammates after scoring their team’s first goal (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Jeffrey Schlupp of Crystal Palace celebrates with teammates after scoring their team’s first goal (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Against Leeds on Monday night, Palace dominated proceedings and just about created enough, but could only go home with a point after a combination of poor finishing and brilliance from Illan Meslier denied.

There had been hopes that Palace would go on to beat their best ever Premier League point tally of 49 in Patrick Vieira’s first season, but recent results have damaged their progress and assistant captain James McArthur wants them to keep their focus and finish the season as high as possible.

The Scottish midfielder told LondonWorld: “We don’t want it to be one of those seasons where you set yourself up for a great finish and not go on to finish it.

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“We need to get more points and finish as high on the table as possible.”

James McArthur has been tagged as one of the best midfielders at Palace and he’s been promoted to assistant captain by Patrick Vieira.

James McArthur of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his teams second goal during the Pre-Season  (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)James McArthur of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his teams second goal during the Pre-Season  (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
James McArthur of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his teams second goal during the Pre-Season (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

McArthur is rewarding the former Arsenal midfielder with his best season ever.

When the former Wigan man arrived at Selhurst Park in 2014 not many envisaged he’d be at the club for seven years, but his energy, commitment and infectious passion for the club has won him many admirers.

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This season he started as one of the leading midfielders, before a hamstring injury kept him out for months.

During his time out, the team found a way of playing with players like Cheikhou Kouyate and Conor Gallagher stepping up and leading Palace in the league and cup.

He admits it was frustrating spending time on the treatment table while his teammates battled on to establish the club on the field.

The 34-year-old midfielder added: “ ’Yeah it’s frustrating getting injured but it’s part of football.

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“I’m experienced enough to keep my head and keep working hard and doing the right things to get back playing.

“I’m back playing now and I’m happy I’m able to help the team.

“The Premier League is hard and you have to remember that we are playing against big teams and big players so I don’t think it has to do with how young the team is, it has to do with all of us.”