The walk from the security-guarded gate at Selhurst Park to the Arsenal coach is about 15 meters, but to the players beaten 3-0 by relegation-threatened Crystal Palace Monday it must have seemed 150 meters.

Arsenal supporters, whose mood was toxic after witnessing another dire display, chanted "you're not fit to wear the shirt" at the defeated team.

In some respects, it is the ultimate insult. Fans, who pay a lot of money to follow their team around the country, believed the players were not worthy of wearing the club's shirt. In public they say they are "disappointed" but it must be hoped their inner feelings were a lot stronger. Supporters who have cheered and hero-worshipped them have turned on the players who have let them down too often. Enough is enough.