CRYSTAL PALACE 1-5 ARSENAL: Gabriel Jesus struck twice as the title-chasing Gunners ran riot at Selhurst Park, scoring five goals for the third time in eight matches in all competitions
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring against Crystal Palace
Gabriel Jesus (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC)
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Whatever gifts Mikel Arteta gets this Christmas - the remarkable resurrection of Gabriel Jesus will take some topping.
The red-hot Brazilian frontman continued exactly where he left off in midweek when he struck a second-half hat-trick to dump Crystal Palace out of the Carabao Cup as five-star Arsenal narrowed the gap at the Premier League summit to just three points ahead of Liverpool's tricky trip to Tottenham.
Jesus, who hit a first-half brace to make it five goals in two matches against the powerless Eagles, made the hosts pay for their incompetent defending yet will still leave disappointed that he did not claim the match-ball.
His timely return to blistering goalscoring form could just be the boost that injects new life into the Gunners' title pursuit as Mikel Arteta's side rattled in five goals for the third time in eight matches.
Just as sceptics began to question whether Arsenal required extra firepower in January to salvage their season - explosive attacker Jesus has flipped the script on its head, offering a clear solution and diffusing any lingering frustration following recent draws against Fulham and Everton, respectively.
Mikel Arteta faces January transfer dilemma even after Arsenal destroy Crystal Palace
[
Gabriel Jesus ends TWO unwanted records as Arsenal thrash Crystal Palace](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/gabriel-jesus-arsenal-crystal-palace-34358592)
Now, Arsenal will be desperate for positive news on Bukayo Saka, who limped off with a hamstring problem on an otherwise perfect night for the Gunners.
They forced themselves ahead inside just six minutes when Saka fashioned a deep and dangerous out-swinging cross, Gabriel Magalhaes' mere physical presence caused panic in the Palace penalty area before Jesus rifled home the loose ball.
Up the other end, the importance of the quick-fire opener was embodied by David Raya's animated celebration as the Gunners goalkeeper thumped the air with joy.
But if the Spanish shot-stopper was fantasising about the prospect of a routine evening's work at Selhurst Park - he was swiftly handed a sobering reality check.
Raya paused in possession, inviting the Palace press and his risky, lacklustre pass out nearly ended in embarrassment when Will Hughes slid in aggressively and steered the ball narrowly wide.
Minutes later, Palace were level when forward Ismaila Sarr drove at the unusually-shaky William Saliba before cunningly using the Frenchman's body to steer the ball into Raya's far corner with pinpoint precision.
However, Arsenal needed little time to restore their advantage when Palace slayer Jesus steered home Thomas Partey's lay-off in stunning style following yet another Gunners corner.
Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring against Crystal Palace (
Image:
Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
It was their 10th set-piece goal of the season in the Premier League and 50th in all competitions since the arrival of Nicolas Jover as designated taker Declan Rice watched on from the bench.
A fiery opening 20 minutes then showed no signs of slowing down when Sarr robbed Saliba before squaring to Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was denied by an excellent sprawling stop from the outstretched Raya.
There was then further concern for the title-chasers when Saka hit the deck, clutching his hamstring following a cross and Mikel Arteta will now be sweating on the severity of his starlet's fitness ahead of a gruelling run of festive fixtures as the 23-year-old was evidently in notable pain.
That discomfort was somewhat softened by Kai Havertz on 38 minutes, however, when the German converted a third for Arsenal to give the visitors breathing room.
Gabriel Jesus was at the double at Selhurst Park
(
Image:
David Price/Arsenal FC)
Seconds after Gabriel rattled the crossbar with a bullet header from a corner, Jesus was denied a second consecutive hat-trick when he glanced Gabriel Martinelli's cross against the base of the post and Havertz tucked in the rebound.
Raya was forced into a string of credible early second-half stops to twice keep Sarr and Mateta at bay before Martinelli did help himself to a well-earned goal.
Jesus somehow spurned another glorious chance to clinch his treble as Dean Henderson saved - then Rice's shot was diverted in by the hungry, jet-heeled winger.
Rice then added further gloss to the scoreline on 85 minutes when he collected from Riccardo Calafiori and curled in a fabulous fifth. Third time in eight games they've got 5 goals.
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