Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal ended their winless run in style with a thumping 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The Gunners, who had last tasted victory on December 17, were in imperious form and rarely troubled by a Crystal Palace side lacking in attacking threat.

Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli were the stars of the show for Arsenal, scoring two goals each and causing havoc in the Crystal Palace defence throughout the match. The first goal came in the 11th minute when Gabriel headed home a corner, and he doubled his tally just before half-time when his header deflected off Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson into the net.

Leandro Trossard added a third goal for Arsenal early in the second half, before substitute Gabriel Martinelli grabbed two late goals to put the icing on the cake. The result moves Arsenal up to third in the table, level on points with Manchester City and Aston Villa, and just two points behind leaders Liverpool.

Set Pieces Successes Give Pressure on Hodgson

Arsenal soared with a deadly combo of set-piece prowess and swift counter-attacks, piling pressure on Crystal Palace and raising questions about their future. In a game defined by three crucial corners, the Gunners netted their 9th and 10th league goals from dead balls, a testament to coach Nicolas Jover's magic touch. The stands erupted in praise, echoing Rio Ferdinand's halftime analysis: "Recruited from Man City, and he's delivering big time!"

Arsenal's aerial dominance silenced any concerns about their open play. When Palace dared to venture forward, a devastating counter-attack sprung from a cleared corner, proving their offensive versatility.

Adding intrigue to the mix, Graham Potter, ex-Chelsea and Brighton gaffer, was spotted observing the proceedings at the Emirates. Could this be a hint of a managerial swap at Palace, struggling with just one win in 12?

Speaking volumes were the banners unfurled by Palace fans in the 90th minute, expressing their discontent with the current setup. The tide might be turning at Selhurst Park.

This story goes beyond Arsenal's victory. It paints a picture of tactical mastery, opportunistic brilliance, and simmering uncertainty at a London rival. The air at the Emirates crackled with both triumph and anticipation, leaving everyone wondering what the next chapter holds for both teams.

Crystal Palace need to improve

Crystal Palace were disappointing on the day and will need to improve if they are to avoid relegation. The Eagles were toothless in attack and offered little resistance to Arsenal's dominance. Manager Roy Hodgson will be concerned about his side's lack of goals and will need to find a way to get them firing if they are to climb the table.

Overall, it was a dominant performance from Arsenal that sees them get back on track in the Premier League title race. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, have work to do if they are to avoid relegation.

Player of the Match

A clean sheet and one goal that could have been two make Gabriel Magalhaes ( Arsenal ) become MVP. His defensive work was almost as impressive, but this performance will be remembered for his threatening presence in the Palace area that put the game beyond the visitors.

Player Ratings

Arsenal: Raya 6, White 6, Saliba 7, Gabriel 9, Zinchenko 7, Rice 7, Odegaard 8, Havertz 7, Saka 8, Jesus 7, Trossard 7. Subs: Smith Rowe 6, Jorginho 6, Kiwior 6, Martinelli 9, Nketiah 7.
Crystal Palace: Henderson 4, Clyne 5, Andersen 5, Guehi 4, Mitchell 5, Richards 4, Lerma 5, Hughes 5, Schlupp 5, Eze 6, Mateta 5. Subs: Ozoh 6, Ahamada 6, Franca 6 Tomkins n/a.