Arsenal made a statement victory in South London with a 1-5 victory in a week where Gabriel Jesus once again was the star against the Eagles.
Mikel Arteta opted to unsurprisingly keep the Brazilian in the starting lineup following on from his midweek hat-trick, with Kai Havertz returning to the team in midfield. Myles Lewis-Skelly also kept his place at left-back following the draw at home to Everton.
Whilst Palace opened the scoring early on Wednesday night, it would be the Gunners who would deal an early first blow this time, as Jesus smashed home a loose ball in the Palace penalty area into the near corner. However, the lead wouldn’t last long as Palace quickly responded through Ismaila Sarr with a curled finish past Raya to level the scores.
But the action-packed start at Selhurst Park was not done there as a Gabriel Martinelli corner came into the box and the ball ended up at the feet of Thomas Partey who played it off to Jesus and Arsenal’s number nine struk an excellent pin-point finish into the near top corner to give Arsenal the lead back in impressive style. David Raya was then called into action to make a strong close-range save from Jean-Philippe Mateta after the French striker was played in following William Saliba being caught in possession at the back.
That lead was then extended towards the end of the first half following an injury to Bukayo Saka, who had to be replaced with Leandro Trossard. The change meant Martinelli moved to the right wing and it was his cross that found the head of Jesus, the header hit the post but fell straight to Havertz who was there to tap home to give Mikel Arteta’s side a crucial two-goal advantage at the interval.
Three would become four midway through the second period as substitute Declan Rice’s effort was turned in by Martinelli following a move that saw Jesus missing a great chance for his hat-trick as Trossard played a ball across to the striker but his effort was straight at Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson. The goal followed another great save from Raya, diving down to his right to deny a Sarr close-range header.
With them having a three goal lead and looking comfortable after some shaky moments at the back, the game began to be in Arsenal’s control as the clock ticked on. And the icing on the cake came from Rice in the final minutes as the midfielder curled in a great shot into the bottom corner to round off a big evening for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners next match following Christmas is a home match against newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 8 – It may have been comfortable in the end, but when the game was close Arsenal’s goalkeeper came up with a few crucial saves
Jurrien Timber: 7 – Quietly solid
William Saliba: 6 – First half strangely poor given his usual standards, improved second half, could have done better for the Palace goal
Gabriel: 6 – Generally ok throughout
Myles Lewis-Skelly: 7 – Another impressive showing from the youngster as he looked so calm on the ball
Thomas Partey: 6 – Often poor when Palace were on transition but ok on the ball
Martin Odegaard: 7 – Good performance from the captain, always looked to get Arsenal moving on the ball
Kai Havertz: 7 – Played more in midfield than he has for most of the year and was pretty solid, got a goal too
Bukayo Saka: 5 – Forced off after half an hour, hopefully he’s back soon
Gabriel Jesus: 9 – Two goals and an excellent all round performance in a brilliant week for Arsenal’s number nine
Gabriel Martinelli: 7 – Played most of the game on the right and had his best performance for a while which included a goal
Leandro Trossard: 6 – Was ok on the left-wing, should have got an assist
Declan Rice: 8 – Goal and an assist in an impressive performance after coming on in the 58th minute