Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has one brilliant player as the game-changer in the Gunners’ commanding 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Despite Arsenal holding a comfortable two-goal cushion, Arteta credited the player in the second half for solidifying the team’s dominance.
The Gunners’ emphatic performance at Selhurst Park featured a brace from Gabriel Jesus, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Declan Rice also finding the net. Ismaïla Sarr’s well-taken equalizer for Palace proved to be only a consolation.
This victory followed Arsenal’s narrow 3-2 win over Palace in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals earlier in the week. Determined to bounce back from successive Premier League draws against Everton and Fulham, the Gunners delivered a devastating display to return to winning ways.
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Palace manager Oliver Glasner’s side pushed hard for a comeback in the second half, controlling possession and launching counterattacks. However, Arteta turned to England midfielder Declan Rice in the 58th minute, substituting him for Havertz, and the Englishman’s introduction immediately shifted the momentum.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice scored his first league goal of the season against Crystal Palace (Image credit: Getty Images)
Speaking after the game on Saturday, Mikel Arteta explained Rice’s pivotal role: “Yeah, because they were more aggressive than in the first game, which we expected, but we didn’t understand whether or not which sequences we had to put and the spaces that we needed to create. So, we ended up playing too much with David [Raya] very close to his own goal, and against them, it’s a really bad game to play.
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“When Rice came on, he changed the game. He gave us more dominance, still the same threat, but we were much better.”
Rice’s steady presence in midfield allowed Arsenal to regain control of the match, nullifying Palace’s threat on the break.
The former West Ham United captain made an immediate impact, assisting Gabriel Martinelli’s goal with a well-placed pass that the Brazilian converted on his second attempt. Rice then capped off his performance with a clinical finish for Arsenal’s fifth goal, showcasing his attacking potential.
Arteta’s side now sits just two points behind second-placed Chelsea as the Premier League title race intensifies. With Rice continuing to deliver influential performances, Arsenal will hope to build on their strong showing as they prepare for their next fixture against Ipswich Town on Boxing Day.
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