Victory strikes Mikel Arteta’s males stage with Manchester City and Aston Villa, two factors behind leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal breathed new life into their Premier League title problem as a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace obtained the Gunners back to winning ways.
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Centre-back Gabriel did a lot of the harm earlier than half-time as he headed within the opener then pressured Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson into an personal objective.
Leandro Trossard made it 3-0 on the hour mark earlier than substitute Gabriel Martinelli struck twice in stoppage time.
Victory strikes Mikel Arteta’s males stage with Manchester City and Aston Villa, two factors behind leaders Liverpool.
“We wanted to start the second part of the season with a great performance, with a great result, and build that positivity and momentum again,” stated Arteta. “I think the boys did a good job today.”
Arsenal had received simply as soon as in seven video games prior to a two-week winter break.
However, a heat climate coaching camp in Dubai seemed to have refreshed final season’s runners-up, even when they did have very obliging guests in struggling Palace.
The Eagles have received simply as soon as in 12 video games to go away them nonetheless perilously poised above the relegation zone and pile the strain on 76-year-old boss Roy Hodgson.
Arsenal’s lack of a pure goalscorer up entrance has been scrutinised throughout their downturn in type and the actual fact it was one in every of his defenders that ended a barren run in entrance of objective will stay a priority for Arteta.
No aspect has scored extra targets from set items within the Premier League this season than Arsenal and it was two corners that undid Palace earlier than half-time.
“Credit to all the coaches, to (set-piece coach) Nico (Jover) for the amount of time and belief we put in,” added Arteta.
“It’s got a huge impact – we’ve seen that as well in recent games that we’ve lost when we’ve conceded set-pieces. The outcome is very different when you don’t concede and score.”
Gabriel outmuscled Chris Richards to rise highest to meet Declan Rice’s supply with a downward header to settle the house aspect’s nerves simply 11 minutes in.
Palace didn’t be taught their lesson as Gabriel once more obtained forward of Richards to meet Bukayo Saka’s nook eight minutes earlier than half-time and the ball rebounded in off the unlucky Henderson.
– Palace followers protest –
Hodgson was booed by his personal followers after substituting Eberechi Eze throughout Wednesday’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Everton to hold the England worldwide recent for the journey to the Emirates.
The closest Eze got here to making an affect was one other long-range effort that Raya was pressured to flip behind.
But to compound Palace’s set-piece shambles, they then conceded from one in every of their very own.
Raya collected a cross into the field and shortly set Gabriel Jesus galloping free on the counter-attack.
The Brazilian crossed for Trossard, who saved his cool to lower inside Nathanial Clyne and smash dwelling his seventh objective of the season.
Defeat leaves Palace nonetheless 5 factors above the relegation zone.
And a banner unfurled within the away finish within the closing phases will do little to assist Hodgson’s case to stay till the top of the season.
“Wasted potential on and off the pitch, weak decisions taking us backwards,” was the message from the Palace followers geared toward co-owner and chairman Steve Parish.
“We can make our excuses, which we’ve been doing because certain things have worked against us during this period of time,” stated Hodgson.
“But the bottom line is that if we’re going to go forward and do well, we need the fans with us.”
Martinelli rubbed salt within the wounds by coming off the bench to rating twice in stoppage time.
The Brazilian had been dropped after scoring simply two targets within the Premier League all season.
But he doubled that tally in a matter of seconds as he twice coolly slotted previous Henderson into the far nook.
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