ARSENAL have beaten Crystal Palace 5-0 to close the gap on Premier League table toppers Liverpool.
The Gunners took the lead after eleven minutes through Gabriel’s powerful header from a corner.
Just past the half-hour mark, the Brazilian centre-back got on the end of Bukayo Saka’s corner yet again – and the ball ended up in the net for 2-0 with the final touch coming off Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
In the second half, Leandro Trossard ended his goal drought after he expertly finished to make it 3-0 before Gabriel Martinelli scored a quick-fire double from the bench to seal a 5-0 for Arsenal.
- Match result: Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace
- Arsenal team: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Jesus, Trossard
- Crystal Palace team: Henderson, Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Richards, Lerma, Hughes, Schlupp, Eze, Mateta
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The curious case of Kai Havertz
Having spent £65m on the German midfielder in the summer, you have to wonder whether Mikel Arteta has ever seen a Chelsea game.
Since arriving at The Emirates, the player has failed to impress and today was no different.
Another anonymous performance where fans are left wondering if he is still on the pitch.
Gunners move up table with win
Arsenal move into third place in the Premier League, level on points with Aston Villa and Man City.
They currently sit only two points behind leaders Liverpool.
With Jurgen Klopp’s side due to visit The Emirates soon, this seems a mouth-watering prospect.
Palace fans make their voices heard
As the goals went in towards the end of the game, the travelling fans unfurled some banners with messages for the owners.
Things are not going well for The Eagles and there seems to be no quick fix to their problems.
After the final whistle, Roy Hodgson stood on the touchline looking over at the away end and the messages from the Crystal Palace fans.
Credit: Reuters Credit: PA Credit: PA
From SunSport’s Jordan Davies at The Emirates
It only takes one moment to change the impetus of a season, and maybe Leandro Trossard’s goal to make it 3-0 was just that.
Despite winning 2-0 thanks to two set-pieces, the mood inside the ground was flat. Arsenal were still not clicking with ball at feet and were terribly clunky in attack.
And then came a free-flowing counter that brought the noise. David Raya’s quick throw-out, Gabriel Jesus’ driving run and pass and Trossard’s venomous finish.
The sort of goal the swashbuckling Gunners of last season would have scored – rapid, direct and fantastically fluid. Arteta celebrated by shouting “VAMOS” while applauding Raya.
The first open-play goal in this stadium by Arsenal since December 17.
Maybe this is the one that brings the confidence back that this side desperately need to feed off for the rest of the campaign in the hunt for the title.
FT: Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace
It is a five-star performance from The Gunners.
Three second half goals condemn Crystal Palace to a heavy defeat.
Mikel Arteta’s side put their poor run of form behind them.
FT: Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace
The referee brings the game to a close to put the visitors out of their misery.
A comfortable win for The Gunners from start to finish.
Things do not look good for Roy Hodgson and his side.
Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace
90+6. It is an absolute carbon-copy of the previous goal.
Crystal Palace have not learnt anything as Martinelli ghosts in to slot the ball into the same corner once again.
The Brazilian scores a brace from the bench.
Goal – Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
Arsenal 4-0 Crystal Palace
90+4. The icing is put on the cake as Nketiah feeds the ball into space for Martinelli to run onto.
As he bears down on goal, he slots the ball into the far corner.
The fans in the away end take this as the signal to head home.
Goal – Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
90+2. The Crystal Palace fans have unfurled some banners showing their thoughts on the way the club is run.
It seems the general feeling is there is not investment in the squad.
Having lost Zaha in the summer, they haven’t really brought many players in during the summer transfer window.
Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
90. Mikel Arteta will be pleased with the result today.
It was integral that his side got back to winning ways.
There will be far harder challenges than this Palace team in the weeks to come, that is for sure.
We are going to have six additional minutes.
Credit: Reuters Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
88. Martinelli gets to the byline and crosses.
It is half-cleared and ball breaks to Zinchenko in the box.
His shot is weak and trickles through to Henderson.
Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
86. Tomkins comes on for Guehi for the visitors.
Arsenal continue to pass the ball around, trying to probe and find an opening.
Jorginho clips a ball forward but Nketiah cannot hold it up.
Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
84. This game is gong through the motions now.
Crystal Palace continue to get numbers behind the ball as the hosts try to break them down.
Martinelli has looked lively since his introduction.
Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
82. Jesus and Gabriel come off for Kiwior and Nketiah.
It is another game without a goal for the former Man City striker.
Despite the scoreline, their strikers continue to fire blanks.
The Arsenal frontline could be renamed ‘the starting pistol’.
Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
80. Crystal Palace have a corner but it is headed clear by Gabriel.
Arsenal counter attack with pace as Martinelli runs forward.
Mitchell does well to track his run and wins the ball back.
Credit: Getty Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
78. Arsenal whip a free kick into the box which is headed clear.
The ball drops to Jorginho some thirty yards out, who opts to have a shot.
It is the sort of effort you expect to see on a parks pitch on Sunday morning up and down the country.
Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
76. Ahamada and Franca come on for the visitors.
They replace Schlupp and Clyne.
This has been a disappointing performance for the Crystal Palace fans.
Fortunately they have not had to travel far.
Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
74. Declan Rice comes off for Jorginho.
Arteta has the chance to give some of his fringe players a run out now with the result in the bag.
Arsenal look to play the ball out from a goal kick like a five-a-side game and Raya immediately puts Odegaard under pressure.
This just seems like an accident waiting to happen with this Spanish keeper.
Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
72. Arsenal will get a bit of a break after today’s game.
Next weekend sees a round of FA Cup action which no longer involves The Gunners.
Mikel Arteta’s side are in complete control of this game now.
Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
70. Arsenal look most susceptible when they are trying to play out from the back, it really doesn’t work for them.
Trossard and Havertz come off for Smith Rowe and Martinelli.
Chance for them to make a claim for regular places in this Arsenal line-up.
Credit: Getty Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
68. Palace look to make a change as Hughes is replaced by Ozoh.
The visiting fans will be hoping he can make a difference.
Arsenal look set to make a couple of changes also.
Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
66. Roy Hodgson’s job could really be under threat right now.
Wins are looking hard to come by and they are stuck in a rut of poor form currently.
You have to wonder about the presence of Graham Potter at the game today even more now.
Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
64. Jesus is penalised for a foul on Eze just outside the box.
This presents a chance for Crystal Palace to trouble Raya in the Arsenal goal.
Eberechi Eze is stood over the ball and strikes it well but the Arsenal keeper palms it over the crossbar.
It was a routine save as the Palace winger hit it straight at him.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
