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Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace's manager, downplayed his team's role in the Premier League title race, stating that their influence would be less significant than that of VAR, and that he hadn't received any money in his account from Arsenal... or Manchester City.
The Eagles, it should be noted, could play a crucial role in the race for the planet's most valuable league title, as they are set to face both the Gunners and the Citizens in the final stretch of the season.
The first challenge will be against City at the Etihad Stadium this Wednesday night. Later, on the final matchday of the league, Glasner's team will face Arsenal, just three days before the Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.
When asked about the possibility of squad rotation influencing the title race, the London club's manager, who will leave the club at the end of the season, was clear: "If you look at our games, like against Fiorentina, with this number of matches, playing every three days, we always rotated." The coach explained that this management is a necessity in a long season, mentioning games against West Ham, Newcastle, and Bournemouth, where even substitutions were planned at the 45-minute mark.
With a touch of irony, the Austrian addressed his responsibility to his club, rather than to the title contenders. "After your question, I checked my payslip to see if I received any money from Arsenal or City. I found nothing," he quipped. "I am responsible for Crystal Palace, not for Arsenal or Manchester City. I just got confirmation. We always do what's best for us. I think that is my and our responsibility, and I believe our influence on the title race will definitely be less than that of VAR."
Finally, Glasner dismissed any suggestion that his players might lose focus on the Premier League in favor of the European final. "It's not possible to switch off for two weeks and then switch back on two days before the final. It's simply not possible," he concluded.
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