Arsenal ended their two-game winless run in the Premier League emphatically after hammering Crystal Palace 5-1 on Saturday evening.
Premier League
Result: Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal
Date: 21 December 2024
Venue: Selhurst Park
The Gunners recalled their regulars who were rested in the Carabao Cup against the same side, as only goalkeeper David Raya, Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick were retained.
Jesus continued where he left off in midweek, after he gave Arsenal an early lead with a low drive from a cross by Bukayo Saka.
Palace were quick to respond, as Ismaila Sarr levelled matters with a curling shot after he saw a gap on his charge inside the box.
With only 14 minutes on the clock, Jesus restored the lead for Mikel Arteta's charges and got his brace with a placed shot at the near post against the run of play.
The visitors had an injury blow midway through the first stanza after Saka could not continue and he was replaced by Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal remained on the front foot and seven minutes before the interval Kai Havertz gave them a two-goal lead with a tap-in from a rebound after Jesus' header came off the post.
The Eagles were spirited from the break as seven minutes later Raya made a double save to deny Jean-Philippe Mateta and Sarr, with efforts written 'goal' all over them.
Arteta made a tactical and defensive change after that as Declan Rice replaced Havertz.
Palace' hopes of a comeback were ended just after that, as Rice made it 4-1 for Arsenal with a deflected shot from a rebound.
Arsenal were running riot in the dying minutes after Rice made it 5-1 and completed his brace with a curling shot after he was given space in the box.
Arteta's men moved up to third in the standings, three points behind leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand.
