It was all concerning the Gabriels for the Gunners on Saturday, the place Gabriel Jesus scored twice, Gabriel Martinelli chipped in one other, and Gabriel Magalhaes recorded an help and led possession from the again line in a 5-1 Arsenal win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Sunday’s journey to south London to face Crystal Palace felt just like the rejuvenation of their Premier League title hopes after a tricky couple of weeks for the Gunners. But an damage to Bukayo Saka looms over the nice vibes.
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Declan Rice got here off the bench to supply a purpose and an help within the win, whereas Kai Havertz additionally scored within the huge win. Arsenal strikes onto 33 factors, some extent again of Chelsea and three behind Liverpool. The Gunners have performed two extra video games than the Reds and yet one more recreation than the Blues.
Ismaila Sarr scored for Palace, who have been despatched again to earth by Arsenal within the League Cup at midweek and now within the Premier League as properly. Their 16 factors are 4 above the underside three.
Gabriel Jesus renaissance can shift Gunners perspective
Nobody’s saying that an oft-injured star delivering 5 targets in two video games ought to cease Arsenal from going into the switch marketplace for assist at heart ahead in January, however possibly the Gunners can play it slightly safer with who joins their crew somewhat than pay via the nostril to begin 2025. Suppose again to the 2022-23 when Jesus arrived in North London from Manchester Metropolis and impressed many to contemplate him the ultimate piece to Arsenal’s title problem. It’s simple to name that short-sighted now, however Jesus additionally has not been wholesome since then. If — and it’s an enormous if — Jesus can fireplace ahead with vigor, then he’s completely appropriate to serving because the No. 9 for Arsenal. The Gunners nonetheless should handle the state of affairs and shouldn’t hesitate in the event that they discover a prime goal at a worth they’d pay most home windows, however they’ll additionally really feel slightly bit much less determined and specific that to would-be sellers on the lookout for Premier League {dollars}. And in case you disagree with all of that, you may at the least acknowledge that the 27-year-old Jesus — who additionally performed a task within the third, fourth, and fifth Arsenal targets — must be front-and-center in every of the following few video games as Arsenal look to chase down Chelsea and Liverpool.
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal participant rankings
(from fotmob.com)
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal participant rankings (from fotmob.com)
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal participant rankings (from fotmob.com)
What’s subsequent?
Arsenal host Ipswich City at 3:15pm ET Friday, then go to Brentford on New Yr’s Day for a 12:30pm kickoff.
Palace go to Bournemouth at 10am ET on Boxing Day (Thursday), then host Southampton at 10am Sunday in two huge video games that can assist decide whether or not this season is a couple of relegation scrap or a struggle for midtable.
Methods to watch Crystal Palace vs Arsenal reside, stream hyperlink and begin time
Kick off time: 12:30 pm ET Saturday (December 21)
Venue: Selhurst Park — London
TV Channel: USA Community
Streaming: Watch reside on NBCSports.com
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal remaining rating: 1-5
Gabriel Jesus 6′, 15′, Ismaila Sarr 12′, Kai Havertz 38′, Gabriel Martinelli 60′, Declan Rice 84′
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal reside updates — By Nick Mendola
Declan Rice purpose — Palace 1-5 Arsenal (84th minute)
The North Londoners are simply toying with their southern rivals.
Rice spins and fires off good work from Jesus and Riccardo Calafiori, his shot spinning throughout purpose and contained in the far nook.
Rice places Arsenal 5-1 forward of Crystal Palace
Declan Rice tucks away one other purpose for Arsenal to provide the Gunners a four-goal cushion towards Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Palace subs
Minutes are right here for ex-Arsenal man Eddie Nketiah rather than Daichi Kamada, whereas minutes later Oliver Glasner removes Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma for Justin Devenny and Cheick Doucoure.
4-1 into the ultimate quarter-hour.
Gabriel Martinelli purpose — Palace 1-4 Arsenal (sixtieth minute)
Trossard cues up Jesus for the hat trick however Henderson blocks his shot.
Rice traces up the rebound and his shot is deflected previous Henderson by the plant foot of a just-onside Martinelli.
Martinelli makes it 4-1 for Arsenal over Palace
The rout could possibly be on for Arsenal as Gabriel Martinelli provides the Gunners a three-goal cushion towards Crystal Palace within the second half at Selhurst Park.
Arsenal subs
Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori enter for Kai Havertz and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
3-1 Arsenal, 59′.
Good double save from Raya
Palace counter assault with type.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta smashes a shot towards Arsenal’s purpose and Raya flies to parry it into the air.
Sarr is on the doorstep to bid on the low-speed rebound, and nods it to Raya’s proper.
The Spaniard dives to gather it earlier than it may well attain the purpose line.
Nonetheless 3-1 Arsenal, now within the 54th minute.
Halftime — Crystal Palace 1-3 Arsenal
Each groups have been open and brought their justifiable share of photographs — 8-7 to Palace for the time being — however Arsenal have delivered extra of the true harmful stuff.
Jesus’ brace provides him 5 targets in two video games going again to the midweek League Cup overcome these identical Eagles. I suppose we will wait to see if his sizzling streak exists outdoors of Palace opposition, however his ending is a breath of recent air for Arsenal.
The Gunners have 60% possession and will get all three factors, however Saka’s damage looms over the proceedings.
Kai Havertz purpose! Palace 1-3 Arsenal (thirty eighth minute)
Gabriel Martinelli beats Mitchell on the proper wing, and rescues the ball off the top line with a cross to the guts of the field.
Jesus rises excessive to go towards purpose however clips the publish. Havertz is there to push the ball over the road.
Havertz faucets in Arsenal’s third v. Crystal Palace
Gabriel Jesus’s header hits off the publish and falls on the ft of an alert Kai Havertz, who tucks away Arsenal’s third purpose of the primary half towards Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Maxence Lacroix makes amends
The Eagles heart again provides the ball away to Gabriel Jesus, who dodges a desperation slide from Chris Richards to look 1v1 with Dean Henderson.
However Palace’s goalkeeper just isn’t known as into motion, as ex-Wolfsburg star Lacroix races again to make a sliding denial of Jesus contained in the 18.
Nonetheless 2-1 Arsenal. 38′.
Bukayo Saka injured, changed by Leandro Trossard
A worrying second for the Gunners, who lose a person with 5 targets and 10 assists in 16 Premier League appearances this season.
Bukayo Saka limps off on his personal energy after simply 25 minutes, changed by Leandro Trossard.
We’ll have updates as quickly as we hear from the Gunners or Mikel Arteta.
Palace denied a second equalizer by Raya
Raya saves the day this time.
Mateta is 1v1 with the Arsenal keeper and denied by the Spaniard, with Saliba clearing the rebound to set off a Gunners counter that involves nothing.
Gabriel Jesus purpose (once more!) — Palace 1-2 Arsenal (fifteenth minute)
Martinelli’s nook (after all) towards the again publish falls for Thomas Partey,
Again to purpose, Partey lays the ball into the trail of Gabriel Jesus for a hammered end.
Arsenal again in entrance, and it’s wonderful for the Gunners if Jesus goes to get again to his finest of their shirt.
Jesus blasts Arsenal 2-1 forward of Crystal Palace
Thomas Partey finds Gabriel Jesus open on the prime of the field, the place the Brazilian striker guides his effort into the Crystal Palace purpose to provide Arsenal a 2-1 lead at Selhurst Park.
It was a warning shot! Ismaila Sarr purpose — Palace 1-1 Arsenal (twelfth minute)
He’s in-form, and Palace are stage.
Tyrick Mitchell takes the ball on the left wing and drives towards purpose, snapping a quick-release shot inside Raya’s far publish.
Sarr’s roller places Crystal Palace stage v. Arsenal
Ismaila Sarr curls his shot previous David Raya into the far nook of the purpose to convey Crystal Palace again to stage phrases towards Arsenal at Selhurst Park.
Blunder practically prices Gunners lead
David Raya performs with the ball inside his six and he’s below stress.
He forces a brief go to Thomas Partey, and Palace slide in and practically push the ball residence off the press.
Gabriel Jesus purpose! Palace 0-1 Arsenal (sixth minute)
Oh he’s been ready for this, and Gabriel Jesus cleans up a unfastened ball in type.
Nice begin for the Gunners.
Jesus powers Arsenal in entrance of Crystal Palace
The targets preserve coming for Gabriel Jesus as he tucks away Arsenal’s opener towards Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Kickoff!
Underway, with Palace of their blue and purple residence tops and Arsenal in teal/sky blue and purple.
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson, Clyne, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes, Kamada, Sarr, Mateta
Arsenal lineup
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Magalhaes, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Havertz, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal preview — By Andy Edwards
Mikel Arteta’s aspect has draw their final two PL video games and did not capitalize on leaders Liverpool additionally drawing twice and having a recreation postponed. Now, Arsenal sit third within the desk after red-hot Chelsea surged previous them and to inside two factors of the summit. Arteta celebrated 5 years in cost at Arsenal on Friday, with the lone trophy of his tenure coming in his first (partial) season, the 2019-20 FA Cup. After ending 2nd to Manchester Metropolis the final two years, many thought this is able to be the yr the younger Gunners broke via — particularly with Metropolis tearing aside on the seams — however they’ve been far too inconsistent and solely received half of their 16 video games up to now (8W-6D-2L). In the event that they don’t rating from a set piece (23 for the reason that begin of final season – 5 greater than another aspect in Europe) and Bukayo Saka doesn’t put the crew on his again, Arsenal have struggled mightily to persistently generate scoring probabilities.
Talking of which, Crystal Palace’s attacking struggles look like a factor of the previous now after Oliver Glasner’s aspect blew rivals Brighton away in a 3-1 victory final weekend and practically beat Man Metropolis earlier than that. Now they’re 5 video games unbeaten (2W-3D-0L) after successful simply 1 of their first 11 video games to begin the season. Ismaila Sarr is trying proper at residence again within the PL after signing from Marseille in the summertime. The Senegalese winger had 2 targets and an help towards Brighton and has performed a component in 5 targets in as many video games. Palace have misplaced 5 straight to Arsenal, together with Wednesday’s League Cup quarterfinal.
Crystal Palace crew information, focus
OUT: Adam Wharton (groin), Daniel Munoz (suspension), Rob Holding (undisclosed), Matheus Franca (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Chadi Riad (health)
Arsenal crew information, focus
OUT: Ben White (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Oleksandr Zinchenko (undisclosed)
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal prediction
Maybe Gabriel Jesus’ hat trick within the League Cup will spark life in somebody apart from Saka. Palace will attempt to play a bit extra being at residence, which ought to give Arsenal a bit extra time and house themselves — in the event that they dare take it. Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal.