Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has blamed their 5-0 thumping at Arsenal on Saturday on the absence of Ghana forward Jordan Ayew.
Ayew missed the game due to his commitment to the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, and he is set to represent the Black Stars in their upcoming match against Mozambique on Monday, January 22.
Hodgson, disappointed by the impact of Ayew's absence, highlighted the blunting of their attacking threat without both Ayew and the injured Michael Olise. However, he conveyed confidence that the situation would improve when Ayew and Olise return.
“Our attacking threat, when you lose [Michael] Olise and [Jordan] Ayew at the same time, is obviously blunted. That will change when those two players come back,” Hodgson stated in a post-game interview with Palace media.
Jordan Ayew, who has provided an assist in the first two games of the 2023 AFCON, is expected to play a crucial role for Ghana in their must-win game against Mozambique.
In the English Premier League, Jordan Ayew has contributed two goals and five assists in 19 games during the 2023-2024 season for Crystal Palace