After three league games without a win, Arsenal FC bounced back with a 5-0 home treble against Crystal Palace. The match-winner was a central defender
Although the Eagles had only won one of their previous eleven competitive games, they started as the more attack-minded team at the Emirates. But their forward momentum only lasted a few minutes. Arsenal gained the upper hand through patient ball circulation and the game was controlled by the home side from then on.
Gabriel Jesus, who played somewhat sloppily, chased the ball into the clouds early in the game (7th), but a little later his namesake Gabriel nodded in a corner kick with a remarkable aerial clearance – the lead after eleven minutes
Raya must invite Palace
The Gunners created great danger from set-pieces, and Lerma almost scored an own goal in the 14th minute from such a resting ball – aluminum. Arsenal, on the other hand, were rarely dangerous from play, which was hardly necessary as the defense held firm. Palace did not get beyond harmless long-range shots.
AFC goalkeeper Raya had to invite the visitors with a wild misplaced pass, but was then able to defuse Lerma’s dangerous 22-yard shot and make up for his mistake. A short time later, his front men again blocked Gabriel from the next corner – 2:0 (37′). The 3:0 by Trossard, once created out of play, was prevented by the attentive Guehi at his own five (45.+2).
After the half-time break, Arsenal kept the pressure on. Trossard had an early chance to open the scoring, but failed to hit the ball properly after Gabriel Jesus’ cross from the penalty spot (50′). Nine minutes later, the Belgian did better after a counter-attack initiated by Raya, cleverly outpacing Clyne and finishing coldly.
The 3-0 deficit forced Palace to look for their salvation on the offensive once again. Eze had another free-kick chance (64′). But this time Arsenal remained so active that the visitors were unable to get the necessary structure into their rare pinpricks
Martinelli twice without reply
Saka (long-range shot, 75′) and Co. failed to make it even clearer for a long time, but did not appear particularly keen to do so. It was only in stoppage time that Joker Martinelli scored a lightning double on the counter-attack (90.+4, 90.+5), which should have done the out-of-form Brazilian some good. A comeback by the visitors was never in the air
After three league games without a win, Arsenal are back in the championship race with an unchallenged home treble. For Palace, the relegation places are getting closer again.
