Huge blow: Vieira dealt double Palace setback pre-Arsenal, supporters will be gutted - opinion

Speaking in his press conference on Thursday, Patrick Vieira confirmed the news that Crystal Palace fans will have been dreading.

The Eagles manager revealed that talismanic duo Wilfried Zaha and Michael Olise both picked up injuries on international duty.

The Ivory Coast forward missed out on facing his former international side England at Wembley after suffering a hamstring problem, whilst Olise withdrew from the France under-21 squad after suffering inflammation in his foot.

Neither have trained since their returns from international duty, but with their game against Arsenal set to be played on Monday night, Vieira is hopeful that both players could feature.

On Zaha’s status, the Crystal Palace boss said: “We will wait and see what happens. We have until Monday so hopefully he will get better, and he can have a couple of days of training with the team. We have to wait and see what will happen over the next couple of days.”

On Olise’s chances of featuring, Vieira added: “He just had an issue with his foot. Until he gets back from the French Under-21s, he is still in the treatment room as well. He is not ready to do some work outside.”

The absence of both players at such a crucial time in the season will come as a massive blow to Vieira and the Palace faithful. In Zaha and Olise, we are talking about the Eagles’ top scorer and leading assists provider respectively.

At just 20 years of age, the latter has been a shining light in what has been a revamped Palace side under Vieira this season. The French under-21 starlet has proven himself as the foremost creator in the squad, with his tally of seven big chances created placing him in the top 15 most creative players in the Premier League this season.

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