Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace (20 Jan, 2024) Game Analysis

Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace (20 Jan, 2024) Game Analysis،

Arsenal returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 thrashing of toothless London rivals Crystal Palace to move up to third in the Premier League on Saturday.

Gabriel's headed goal from a corner and a Dean Henderson own goal – courtesy of another Gabriel header from a corner – put Mikel Arteta's side in control in the first half. Leandro Trossard increased their lead just before the hour mark with a clinical finish following a radical move.

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Substitute Gabriel Martinelli added shine to the scoreline with two almost identical finishes in added time.

Palace, 14th, had a few chances and almost equalized when Jefferson Lerma's deflected shot was well saved by David Raya shortly before Arsenal made it 2-0.

Gabriel's ninth-minute header gave Arsenal an early lead against Crystal Palace.

Such was Arsenal's comfort that Arteta was able to make four substitutions late on, with Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Trossard and Gabriel all given a break.

Arsenal's victory ended a run of three successive defeats in all competitions and put them level on 43 points with Aston Villa and champions Manchester City. Arsenal's goal difference is better than Villa's but worse than City's.

It has been a discouraging few weeks for Arsenal, who dominated the Premier League before Christmas but whose title fight ended with a run of one win in five league matches.

But Palace's problems appear even greater with a banner unfurled towards the end that read: 'Wasted potential'. On and off the field, weak decisions set us back.

They have won just once in their last ten league matches and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Everton on Wednesday, after which manager Roy Hodgson was criticized by visiting supporters.

– Olley: Arsenal take a step forward in title race with drubbing of Palace

Arsenal spent their mini winter break training in warm weather in Dubai and it appears to have revived them.

They took the lead in the 11th minute when Rice's corner was met by Gabriel who headed in from close range.

Another corner led to Arsenal's second goal in the 37th minute as Gabriel again went clear and his header was palmed away by Palace keeper Henderson.

Trossard effectively killed Palace when he applied a clinical finish to Gabriel Jesus' pass in the 59th minute.

With Palace in disarray, Martinelli then got into the action with two silky finishes to give Arsenal's goal difference a healthy boost and equal their best margin of victory in a Premier League derby.