CRYSTAL Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni says he and his team-mates didn't have much time to change their gameplan for Arsenal on Saturday and felt they should have come away from north London with a point.
Aaron Ramsey's stoppage-time winner broke Palace hearts after a gutsy display despite the Gunners having more than 70 per cent of the possession.
Speroni initially pulled off a superb reaction save at first, but the ball fell to Ramsey, who tapped home.
It was a spirited display from Palace despite losing manager Tony Pulis 48 hours before the new season.
"I was disappointed by the way we conceded the goals and the timing of them, and also not to get something from the game," the shot-stopper said.
"We didn't have time to change much (since Tony Pulis' exit). We still had time to practice and we knew how well we prepared for the game.
"All pre-season, fitness-wise, we were in excellent condition. We tried to stick to the plan.
"The shot for their winner came through people and I didn't know much about it really, I just reacted to it, it hit me on the chest and it could have gone anywhere.
"Then suddenly it lands on Ramsey's feet and it's so disappointing to concede so close to the end."
Arsenal won the possession battle but they didn't really have too many chances, with Speroni called into action no more than three times in particular.
And the 35-year-old was delighted to receive the nod ahead of Wayne Hennessey after a summer of debate among the fans.
"There is always going to be competition for places," said Speroni. "Every time I step on that pitch, I do my best.
"Every players wants to play and I'm not an exception.
"I had one save down low in the first half and then one or two in the second half.
"We knew Arsenal were going to keep most of the possession and we didn't want to leave any spaces.
"We spoke about not conceding from set-pieces but unfortunately that happened."
