**Arteta forced to let go**
If you ask any fan whether they preferred last week’s 0-0 draw with Everton or this week’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace, the answer would almost unanimously be the latter. Mikel Arteta though might think differently.
The Spaniard was effusive in his praise of Arsenal after they dropped more points in the title race at the Emirates, citing the “dominance” his side had, and the fact they “gave nothing away.” Despite a far more comprehensive scoreline at Selhurst Park, his response was a little more subdued.
“I think in many things we were better the other day but this is football,” he said in his post-match press conference. He’s not wrong.
Arsenal looked more vulnerable against Palace than they have done in some time. William Saliba and David Raya conspired on a few occasions to allow the Eagles through on goal and were it not for the Spaniard’s smart saves from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr, they could have been punished.
At the other end of the pitch though Arsenal were irresistible. The Gunners were exciting, fizzing like a freshly poured Christmas bubbly in the final third, looking as though they might score each time they passed the halfway line. If they had left Selhurst Park with eight goals there could have been few complaints.
Arteta never seemed truly at ease with this deal with the devil that his side were making. A smile only crept across his lips after Declan Rice brought complete dominance in the midfield after coming on. It is this that he craves above all else.
“I like to be very dominant,” he told **football.london** . “Very dominant in the right areas. I don’t like to concede anything which we haven’t done in the last four games. Today we conceded more - especially because we have given two big chances.”
Of course there’s a balance to be struck but if Arsenal are to win the title, Arteta may have to embrace this chaos factor his side showed in south London. Neutrals are certainly hopeful that he does!
**Jesus the gift that keeps on giving**
We used up all our Christmas puns on Wednesday - or so we thought. Gabriel Jesus followed up a midweek Carabao Cup revival with a cracker of a display at Selhurst Park (see what we did there!).
It’s hard to think that one wouldn’t have come without the other. Jesus’ first goal - a superbly accurate first time effort from the edge of the box - is the kind of strike a forward low on confidence simply doesn’t even consider. Post-hattrick Jesus though is willing to take anything on.
The Brazilian could have had another two goals on top his brace which took him to five goals in four days - as many as he had managed in his previous 45 appearances. No player since Robin Van Persie in 2011 has scored as many consecutive goals for the Gunners.
For Arteta it’s jus desserts for sticking with the Brazilian when many were calling for him to be moved on. The Spaniard was keen to pour praise on the player though.
“You have to prepare for your opportunity, that's it,” he said. “If you fail to prepare then it's not going to happen. That's clear. You want it, you want it early and sometimes it's not going to happen and you don't see the rewards.
“It's like going to the gym and looking in the mirror after one week or one month. Sometimes it needs more time and suddenly everybody is saying you look much better, you're looking healthier and now good things happen so I think it's a good example to understand what Gabi has done.”
Jesus has shown the strength to heave Arsenal’s dwindling title hopes up off the floor. If the Brazilian can keep this up, then he may just help them set a new personal best.
**Saka to force Arsenal into the market?**
The only blemish on the day for Arsenal was the first half injury to Bukayo Saka. The England international went down instantly after playing in a cross just before the half hour mark. He raised his hand to the bench knowing immediately what he had done.
It’s a familiar issue for Saka who has suffered his third hamstring injury of the season. For all the talk of him needing to play 70 matches a season to become the best in the world, his bloated schedule over the past few years may finally be catching up with him.
“He couldn’t continue,” Arteta said of the injury after the game. “He will have to be assessed. Pretty worried about that one.”
It looks as though those fears will be justified. Saka left Selhurst Park on crutches a sign that he could be set for a spell on the sidelines.
Having also lost Raheem Sterling this week there is a strong argument that any absence could force the Gunners into a January transfer window where they were expecting to be quiet. You could have made the point that a forward was required anyway, but if they are down to Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri as their only attacking options, then more will surely it will be the time to fast track any potential summer plans.
Things are made difficult by the absence of a sporting director in Edu, but Arteta has insisted he has full faith in interim Jason Ayto. This coming month could be the window where he delivers Arsenal the signing they’ve been crying out for for years.