Gabriel Jesus starred with a brace as Arsenal crushed Crystal Palace 5-1, becoming the first team since Chelsea in 2005 to go a full calendar year unbeaten in Premier League London derbies (W8, D2). The victory narrows the gap on league leaders Liverpool to three points, though Arsenal have played more games.
Hot on the heels of a midweek hat-trick in the EFL Cup, Jesus wasted no time in paying back Mikel Arteta’s faith with the opener in the sixth minute, capitalising on the mayhem caused in the Palace box by Bukayo Saka’s cross. But the Gunners’ lead was to last just five minutes, with Ismaïla Sarr curling a fantastic equaliser past David Raya. But Arsenal fought back, Jesus making it two after reaching a corner clearance first.
Kai Havertz doubled the Gunners’ advantage before half time as he reacted quickest after Jesus’ shot came back off the post. Palace pressed for a second-half comeback, but Raya produced big saves to deny Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta. Arsenal wrapped up the points with an hour played as Gabriel Martinelli tapped in Declan Rice’s rebound, before the latter sealed a brilliant evening with a late fifth.
Despite a Saka injury and defensive lapses, Arsenal’s dominance keeps them in contention for the title, while Palace remain winless in four home league games.
