Arsenal delivered a dominant performance at Selhurst Park, thrashing Crystal Palace 5-1 to move within three points of Premier League leaders Liverpool. Gabriel Jesus stole the show with two goals, bringing his tally against the Eagles to five in just one week, following his sensational Carabao Cup hat-trick on Wednesday. However, despite the impressive victory, there was a setback for the Gunners, as star winger Bukayo Saka limped off in the first half, casting a shadow over an otherwise stellar performance.
Arsenal Show Their Class in Thrashing Victory
Arsenal’s attacking prowess was on full display as they dismantled Crystal Palace, with Jesus playing a key role in the dominant win. Mikel Arteta’s side came out strong, with the Brazilian striker opening the scoring in the sixth minute. Saka’s cross deflected into Jesus’s path, and he slotted the ball past Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson at the near post to give the Gunners an early lead.
However, Crystal Palace responded quickly. Just five minutes later, Ismaila Sarr curled in a beautiful shot from the edge of the box to level the score at 1-1. But Arsenal quickly regained the advantage in the 14th minute when Thomas Partey teed up Jesus after a dangerous corner was not cleared. The forward made no mistake, curling a brilliant shot into the top corner to put the Gunners 2-1 ahead.
Jesus nearly completed his second hat-trick in as many games when his header hit the post, but the ball fell kindly for Kai Havertz, who tapped it in from close range to give Arsenal a 3-1 lead just before the break.
While both sides had chances in the first half, including a close-range save by Raya from Jean-Philippe Mateta and a header from Gabriel that hit the bar, Arsenal maintained their control throughout. The second half saw more of the same, as the Gunners added two more goals to their tally. Gabriel Martinelli diverted a shot from Declan Rice into the net to make it 4-1, and then Rice himself found the back of the net with a spectacular strike to complete the 5-1 victory.
Gabriel Jesus Finds Form at the Right Time for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta had expressed hopes that Jesus’ Carabao Cup hat-trick would ignite his Premier League form, and the Brazilian did not disappoint. Scoring two goals against Crystal Palace, Jesus marked his return to scoring ways in the league, with his first Premier League goals in almost 11 months. The forward has found his rhythm just at the right time for Arsenal, and his performance in this match further solidified his importance to the team.
Before this incredible week, Jesus had scored just five goals in his previous 45 Premier League appearances for Arsenal. However, his form in the past few days, with five goals against Crystal Palace in just one week, shows a revitalized striker. Arsenal’s recent struggles in creating chances from open play have been highlighted, but in this game, they appeared to be back to their best, with fluid attacking play and clinical finishing.
For Arteta, Jesus’ goals are a sign that the team’s attacking play is returning to form. The Gunners had been criticized for lacking sharpness in the final third in recent weeks, but the performance against Palace was a statement that Arsenal could still compete at the highest level.
Bukayo Saka’s Injury Worries Arsenal Ahead of Crucial Period
While the win was a positive result for Arsenal, the injury to Bukayo Saka was a cause for concern. The 23-year-old winger had been instrumental for Arsenal in recent seasons, amassing 52 goals and 44 assists since 2019. However, Saka limped off in the first half of the match after a challenge, and the extent of his injury remains unknown. The loss of such a key player would be a significant blow for Arsenal, especially as they look to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title.
Before his injury, Saka had made his 250th appearance for the club, becoming the youngest Englishman to reach that milestone. The fans and the team are hoping the injury is not serious, as they will need Saka fit and firing if they are to maintain their title ambitions throughout the season.
Arteta will now be anxiously awaiting news on the severity of Saka’s injury, and the Gunners will need to adapt in case he faces an extended period on the sidelines. Fortunately, with the attacking depth at Arsenal’s disposal, including the form of Jesus, Havertz, and Martinelli, they will have players capable of stepping up in Saka’s absence.
Arsenal’s Dominance Continues as They Close in on Top Spot
With this 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace, Arsenal have now moved to within three points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, although they have played two games more. This win, along with the momentum they’ve built from recent performances, will give Arteta and his players confidence as they approach the busy festive period.
Arsenal’s attacking display against Palace shows just how potent they can be when they are firing on all cylinders. Jesus’ brace was the highlight, but the contributions from the likes of Havertz, Martinelli, and Rice demonstrated the team’s collective strength. The Gunners have been slowly improving their form and will need to continue this momentum if they are to challenge for the Premier League title in the coming months.
While Liverpool and Manchester City remain formidable competitors, Arsenal’s recent performances show that they are very much in the hunt. With key players like Jesus finding their form at the right time, Arsenal will feel confident about their chances of staying near the top of the table.
Palace Struggle After Tough Week
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, had a much tougher outing at Selhurst Park. Despite coming into the match in relatively good form, having lost only one of their previous eight Premier League matches, they were outclassed by an Arsenal side that played with pace and precision.
Palace had been fatigued after a challenging week, as they had used many of the same players in their midweek EFL Cup defeat to Arsenal. This compounded their problems, with injuries to key players like Eberechi Eze, who missed the match due to injury. Palace’s inability to recover in the second half saw them concede two more goals and slip to a heavy defeat.
Despite this loss, Palace remains four points clear of the relegation zone, and they will now look to bounce back when they face Bournemouth on 26 December. Manager Roy Hodgson will need to ensure that his team recovers quickly from this defeat if they are to maintain their Premier League status.
Conclusion: Arsenal’s Statement Win and the Road Ahead
Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace was an emphatic statement that they are still very much in the Premier League title race. With Gabriel Jesus finding his form, the Gunners are looking dangerous in attack once again. However, the injury to Bukayo Saka will be a concern for Mikel Arteta, and the team will need to adapt if their star winger is out for an extended period.
As Arsenal continue their pursuit of the top spot, the performances of their key players, including Jesus, will be crucial. With just three points separating them from the league leaders, Arsenal’s fans have plenty of reason to remain optimistic about their title hopes. However, with challenges ahead, particularly in maintaining their attacking form, the Gunners will need to remain focused and push on as they aim to secure a top finish in the Premier League this season.
