Our final away sport of 2024 was a thumping victory at Selhurst Park – the sixth time within the 12 months we have scored no less than 5 instances on the highway.

Gabriel Jesus received us going early on, following up Wednesday evening’s hat-trick in opposition to the identical opposition with two extra within the opening 20 minutes – both facet of Ismaila Sarr’s strike for Crystal Palace.

Kai Havertz then scored from shut vary, when Jesus’s shot fell to him through the submit. Martinelli made it 4-1 after the break, when he turned in Declan Rice’s low shot, and Rice himself rounded off the evening with a beautiful end into the nook from the sting of the field.

The consequence makes it ten video games with out defeat now, heading into our final match of the 12 months subsequent Friday.

JESUS PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF

After his second-half hat-trick in opposition to them on Wednesday, Jesus breached the Palace defence once more after simply six minutes right here.

Bukayo Saka, making his 250th Gunners look – the third youngest participant to the milestone for us – swung in a cross from the best that the house defence simply didn’t cope with. Gabriel was within the combine and the ball fell to his compatriot behind him, who fired previous Dean Henderson.

However Palace rapidly hit again. After we practically received caught enjoying out from the again – when David Raya’s cross underneath strain was intercepted by Will Hughes who squirted an effort simply huge – they levelled.

Sarr discovered himself with area within the midfield and saved bringing the ball ahead earlier than scoring low right down to Raya’s left.

The sport had a frantic really feel to it, and it was little shock after we re-established our lead on our very subsequent assault.

Gabriel Martinelli gained a nook, which once more the Palace defence didn’t clear. Jesus was in the best place to pounce on the free ball and unerringly thump it dwelling.

It was his fifth purpose in 50 minutes of motion – all in opposition to the identical keeper.

SAKA FORCED OFF

It remained an open sport. William Saliba was caught in possession simply outdoors the realm and Raya needed to make himself massive to make a superb cease at level black vary from Jean-Philippe Mateta.

It had been a continuous opening, however there was a break when Saka’s landmark look got here to a untimely finish – he was compelled off halfway by way of the half to get replaced by Leandro Trossard.

However the probabilities saved coming. Jesus discovered himself goalside of the final man, bearing down on purpose, however Maxence Lacroix made a advantageous recovering sort out.

Gabriel then hit the bar with a header earlier than our third purpose did arrive. Martinelli – switched to the best wing – beat Tyrick Mitchell on the surface and despatched in a cross for Jesus. His header hit the submit, and there was Havertz to attain from a yard out.

Trossard was the following to run on the retreating dwelling defence, he unfold the ball to Odegaard who in flip discovered Martinelli in a harmful place, however his low cross was scrambled away.

RAYA STANDS FIRM

Raya needed to be alert within the first minute of the second half, diving to his proper to maintain out Sarr’s opportunistic header.

He was referred to as into motion once more to make a double save from Mateta and Sarr as Palace began the second interval brightly.

Mikel Arteta’s males – sporting black armbands in reminiscence of George Eastham, our former midfielder who just lately handed away – noticed out the transient storm although.

RICE MAKES HIS IMPACT

Rice and Riccardo Calafiori, each again from damage, got here on in a double change and we quickly had our fourth. A beautiful cross excessive from Gabriel launched Trossard. His cross was excellent for Jesus, however he shot straight at Henderson. The ball fell to Rice, he teed up Martinelli who equipped the remainder.

It was the Brazilian’s sixth purpose in opposition to the Eagles, no less than twice as many as he’s scored in opposition to every other opponent.

Rice then went from supplier to goalscorer to internet his first of the season late on. He curled an exquisite effort from the sting of the realm low contained in the far submit.

Scoring 5 objectives in six totally different away video games in the identical calendar 12 months had by no means been executed earlier than – by any top-flight facet ever. It was a good way to spherical off our away programme for 2024.

The consequence retains us in third place and likewise ensures we stay unbeaten from all ten of our London derbies in 2024.

WHAT’S NEXT

We now have one sport left in 2024, at dwelling to Ipswich City on Friday, December 27 within the Premier League. We’ll then kick off 2025 with one other London derby, away to Brentford on New Yr’s Day.