Crystal Palace FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
Gabriel Jesus celebrating his goal against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal thrashed Crystal Palace 5-1 at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday, December 21 in a comfortable result. The result sees the Gunners climb a spot into third place with 33 points from 17 games, while the Eagles remain 15th with 16 points from the same number of matches.
Expand Tweet
Trending
Arsenal made a great start to the game and picked up where they left off in the midweek win in the EFL Cup. Gabriel Jesus grabbed an early goal with an opportunistic finish as he lined himself up perfectly at the back post to make it 1-0. Crystal Palace were handed nearly an instant lifeline as Ismaila Sarr drew them level just five minutes later, scoring a curler from outside the box.
Both teams continued attacking but Arsenal restored their lead very quickly, with Jesus making it a brace with a curling shot into the right top corner. After regaining the advantage, the Gunners played with added confidence and pushed Crystal Palace deep into their own half. Kai Havertz then scored the visitors' third goal in the 38th minute to restore their two-goal cushion.
Arsenal scored with all their three shots on target in the first half, while Crystal Palace managed just one goal with the same number of shots as the visitors led 3-1.
Expand Tweet
The Gunners made a dominant start to the second half as well, as they refused to take their foot off the pedal and continued to push forward. Mikel Arteta made two changes just before the hour-mark, bringing on Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori as the pair returned from minor injuries. The former made an instant impact, assisting Gabriel Martinelli for the team's fourth goal in the 60th minute.
Oliver Glasner made a host of changes for Crystal Palace as well, looking to try and find a goal to give them some momentum. However, Arsenal rounded off a five-star performance with a goal from Rice in the 84th minute as he hammered one in from distance. Calafiori provided an assist for the goal as the visitors were cruising towards a victory.
They defended well and held on to secure a statement win, and on that note, let's take a look at Arsenal's player ratings.
Arsenal Player Ratings
David Raya - 7.5/10
Raya made five good saves throughout the match to ensure Arsenal stayed ahead and did not allow Crystal Palace a way back into the game.
Jurrien Timber - 6.5/10
Timber had a good game for the Gunners on the right side of defence. He won three duels and made two interceptions, and was also booked for a foul.
William Saliba - 6/10
Saliba looked oddly off-colour and made several loose decisions close to his own goal that could easily have ended up being much worse situations than they were.
Gabriel Magalhaes - 7/10
Gabriel provided a first-half assist and had a good game in general. He won four duels, making one clearance and one block. He also played one key pass.
Myles Lewis-Skelly - 6.5/10
Lewis-Skelly played well as he won five of seven duels in defence, making two tackles in the process. He passed the ball with 95% accuracy as well.
Martin Odegaard - 7/10
The Arsenal skipper had a decent game in midfield as he passed the ball with 96% accuracy, including two key passes, and also won three duels.
Thomas Partey - 7/10
Partey had a good game as he bagged an assist. He also played one key pass, won three duels, and made three interceptions as well.
Kai Havertz - 7.5/10
Havertz had a good game as he scored one goal in the first half. He played one key pass and also won five duels, making three clearances and one interception.
Bukayo Saka - 6.5/10
Saka picked up what seemed like a hamstring injury in his right leg in the first half and was subbed off.
Gabriel Jesus - 8.5/10
Jesus scored a lovely early brace to make it five goals in two games against Crystal Palace. He could have easily made it a hat-trick in the second period but missed a sitter from merely yards out.
Gabriel Martinelli - 7/10
Martinelli showed signs of good form as he got on the scoresheet. He also played three key passes and won four duels.
Substitutes
Leandro Trossard - 6.5/10
Trossard replaced Saka in the first half but was unable to make an impact.
Riccardo Calafiori - 7.5/10
He came on and put in a great cameo as he provided an assist. He also won four duels, making one clearance and one interception.
Declan Rice - 8.5/10
Rice put in a great cameo as he scored one and assisted one goal after coming on.
Mikel Merino & Ethan Nwaneri - N/A
The pair played less than 10 minutes apiece and hence do not warrant a rating.