Arsenal returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 drubbing of toothless London rivals Crystal Palace to climb into third in the Premier League on Saturday.
Gabriel’s headed goal from a corner and a Dean Henderson own goal — courtesy of another Gabriel header from a corner — put Mikel Arteta’s side in control in the first-half.
Leandro Trossard furthered their lead just short of the hour mark with a clinical finish from a sweeping move.
Substitute Gabriel Martinelli added gloss to the scoreline with two almost identical finishes in added time.
Reuters reports that Palace, who are 14th, had a few chances of their own and almost equalised when Jefferson Lerma’s swerving shot was well-saved by David Raya shortly before Arsenal made it 2-0.
Such was Arsenal’s comfort that Arteta was able to make four substitutions late on with Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Trossard and Gabriel all being given a breather.
Arsenal’s victory ended a run of three successive defeats in all competitions and put them level on 43 points with Aston Villa and champions Manchester City. Arsenal’s goal difference is superior to Villa’s but worse than City.
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