Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus continued his resurgence with two goals as the Gunners demolished Crystal Palace 5-1 in the Premier League at Selhurst Park.
A London derby with a lot to live up to after Wednesday's five-goal EFL Cup quarter-final, the opening 45 at Selhurst Park did not disappoint, as a brace from the born-again Jesus and tap-in from Kai Havertz saw Arsenal pick up where they left off from midweek.
Ismaila Sarr's fine finish and a worrying injury blow to Bukayo Saka did offer Palace a sliver of hope, which was quickly extinguished when Gabriel Martinelli struck his sixth Premier League goal against the Eagles and substitute Declan Rice completed the job.
Saturday's crushing victory also means that Arsenal will end 2024 unbeaten in all 10 of their Premier League London derbies, the first team to go through a calendar year unbeaten in top-flight capital clashes since Chelsea in 2005.
Mikel Arteta's men have now risen back into third place in the Premier League table, just one point behind Chelsea and three worse off than Liverpool, while Oliver Glasner's side stay 15th and remain four points clear of the drop zone.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
As pitiful as Arsenal were in the first half of their EFL Cup win over Palace in midweek, they fielded a second-string team against a first-choice Eagles unit before taking control of the contest in the second period, where the personnel changes made a huge difference.
Now with the majority of their big-hitters back in the ranks from the off, Arteta's merciless men put in an exemplary offensive display reminiscent of the Arsenal of January or February, when they were ripping defences to shreds on the road for fun.
Not all Gooners were best pleased to see Havertz start in midfield again, but Arteta was right to accommodate the rejuvenated Jesus, who was evidently still basking in the glow of his EFL Cup treble and put away two goals that the Jesus from a few weeks ago may have fluffed.
The 27-year-old may have briefly returned to his wasteful ways when the hat-trick was there for the taking, but the alertness of his teammates should please Arteta, while Rice shored up the midfield expertly after his introduction.
A fatigued Palace side were always expected to face an uphill battle after their midweek efforts, and the absence of Eberechi Eze also hit the hosts hard, but they still handed David Raya quite the scare or two in the opening period.
CRYSTAL PALACE VS. ARSENAL HIGHLIGHTS
Gabriel Jesus goal vs. Crystal Palace (6th min, Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal)
Gabriel Jesus picks up where he left off against Crystal Palace in midweek! 💥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 21, 2024
What a week he's having 👏 pic.twitter.com/SYRPMgJ0D3
He is risen indeed! After ending his 12-month streak without an Emirates goal with three of the best in midweek, Jesus scores his first Premier League goal since late January.
Saka's cross from the right evades everyone in the middle, but Gabriel Magalhaes gets the slightest touch to help it onto Jesus, who has ample time to crash home a low finish from close range.
Ismaila Sarr goal vs. Arsenal (11th min, Crystal Palace 1-1 Arsenal)
"What a response!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 21, 2024
Sarr puts Crystal Palace level! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sNel6hxEik
Arsenal have not inspired confidence at the back whatsoever, and Glasner's men are back on terms within just five minutes of Jesus's opener!
Tyrick Mitchell plays a crisp pass inside to Sarr, who drives at the backtracking William Saliba and picks his spot expertly, finding the far corner with a wonderful curling finish.
Gabriel Jesus goal vs. Crystal Palace (14th min, Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal)
Gabriel Jesus LOVES scoring against Crystal Palace 🤯
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 21, 2024
Five goals in a week against The Eagles 💥 pic.twitter.com/Y7mDDmj7nG
Amazing what one goal - or five - can do for a player's confidence; this is a finish reminiscent of the 2022 Gabriel Jesus!
Of course, it comes from an Arsenal corner, as Palace fail to clear their lines and Thomas Partey tees up the Brazilian, who bends a stunning first-time strike into the top corner at Dean Henderson's near post.
Kai Havertz goal vs. Crystal Palace (38th min, Crystal Palace 1-3 Arsenal)
Gabriel Jesus denied a hat-trick by the post 👀
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 21, 2024
Kai Havertz picks up the rebound 🙌 pic.twitter.com/jtpQlpAZOa
Palace were seemingly resigned to conceding a second straight hat-trick to the red-hot Jesus, but as the Eagles switched off, Havertz was alert and ready to pounce.
Jesus's header from Martinelli's delivery comes back off the post, and Havertz - who was being played onside by two Eagles defenders - is alert and prods home the rebound from close range.
Dean Henderson and his rearguard had completely fallen asleep, but Havertz showed terrific predatory instincts to follow in.
Gabriel Martinelli goal vs. Crystal Palace (60th min, Crystal Palace 1-4 Arsenal)
Gabriel Martinelli makes it FOUR! 👊 pic.twitter.com/QxHjfwOWUz
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 21, 2024
Another golden chance for the hat-trick passes Jesus by, but again, he is bailed out!
The South American hits the ball straight at Henderson's feet from a few yards out, but the rebound falls to Rice; whether the Englishman's fizzed ball across was a shot or a pass only he will know, but Martinelli is on hand to redirect the ball into the top corner.
Palace's nemesis strikes again - Martinelli now has six Premier League goals against Palace, his best record against a single opponent.
84th min: Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal (Declan Rice)
Almost a carbon copy of Sarr's equaliser in the first half, but arguably just a little bit better!
The two Arsenal substitutes combine, as Riccardo Calafiori slips the ball inside for Rice, who takes it magnificently on the turn and whips a delicious strike into the bottom corner to rubber-stamp an emphatic derby win.
MAN OF THE MATCH - GABRIEL JESUS
© Imago
A penny for Jesus's thoughts when Arsenal were being linked with every top European striker over the summer, and one could have forgiven the hitherto misfiring Brazilian for thinking his Gunners career was dead in the water.
However, the former Manchester City man never stopped believing and is reaping the rewards of his newfound confidence, displaying a ruthless edge in the first half and picking his spots brilliantly with two first-time strikes.
Jesus is still prone to being a tad profligate up top - he should have completed a second straight hat-trick before Martinelli's goal - but Arsenal surely have no need to pursue another attacking option in January if the 27-year-old can stay fit and continue firing.
CRYSTAL PALACE VS. ARSENAL MATCH STATS
Possession: Crystal Palace 41%-59% Arsenal
Shots: Crystal Palace 15-14 Arsenal
Shots on target: Crystal Palace 6-6 Arsenal
Corners: Crystal Palace 3-3 Arsenal
Fouls: Crystal Palace 9-8 Arsenal
BEST STATS
50 - Gabriel Jesus has scored Arsenal's 50th Premier League goal from a corner since Nicolas Jover joined the club as set-piece coach in 2021 - the most of any club in the competition in this time. Bullseye. pic.twitter.com/0W8YkfI5vf
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2024
Gabriel Jesus has scored more Premier League goals in 14 minutes vs. Crystal Palace than in his previous 28 league games combined.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 21, 2024
It's the first time he has scored 2+ goals in a Premier League game since April 2023. ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/H42YqUDaL8
6 - Arsenal have scored 5+ goals in six different away games in all competitions in 2024, the most ever by an English top-flight club in a single calendar year. Ruthless. pic.twitter.com/18V19N4byf
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
Now set to put their feet up until Chelsea and Liverpool take to the field on Sunday, Arsenal's first post-Christmas fixture comes at home to Ipswich Town on December 27.
As for the Eagles, Glasner's men have a Boxing Day trip to Bournemouth to look forward to, before closing out 2024 at home to Southampton on December 29.
Ben Knapton
