LONDON._ Arsenal ended a run of three consecutive defeats in all competitions in style by crushing Crystal Palace 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium and finishing third in the Premier League table.
Center back Gabriel was the star of the show for the Gunners as he scored the first and forced the second goal, both from set pieces, to give Arsenal control before Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli (twice) scored on counter-attacks in the second half to increase the pressure on Palace manager Roy Hodgson.
Arsenal’s bright start was rewarded with a goal after 10 minutes, Gabriel rising high to head Declan Rice’s corner into the far post.
Arsenal doubled their lead in the 37th minute with Gabriel again in the center of goal. The defender got ahead of his marker Chris Richards once again to head a corner from Bukayo Saka to the far post and make it 2-0.
Arsenal scored the third of the game just before the hour mark. After missing a scoring opportunity, Trossard this time converted on a fast break that only lasted 10 seconds.
Raya picked up a Palace cross and threw the ball to Jesus on the right. The Arsenal striker ran with the ball before confronting Trossard, who brought down Chris Richards before finishing past Henderson to celebrate the first anniversary of him joining the club. It was also the first of the Belgian’s eight goals for the club without Saka assisting.
Substitute Martinelli scored twice in the two minutes of added time, both on counterattacks, to round off a great victory for the hosts.
The victory puts Arsenal in third place, tied on points with Manchester City and Aston Villa on 43 and two points behind leaders Liverpool.
Palace have a run of five points in their last 10 games, which leaves them in 14th place with 21 points, just five above the relegation zone.
(With information from Premier League)
2024-01-20 23:42:43
#Arsenal #recovers #rout #Crystal #Palace
