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Arsenal ended a run of one win in seven games when they hammered Crystal Palace 5-0 to move to third place on the Premier League table
Arsenal returned to winning ways in ruthless fashion when they hammered Crystal Palace 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The Gunners had only won one of their previous seven games in all competition and not secured victory in the Premier League since December 17 to ramp up pressure on coach Mikel Arteta ahead of Saturday’s encounter.
A draw at Anfield followed by Premier League defeats to West Ham and Fulham as well as a League Cup loss Liverpool had seen Arsenal drop to fourth position and five points behind leaders Liverpool but they responded well on Saturday.
Arsenal went ahead when Gabriel headed home Declan Rice’s corner after 11 minutes and the second one arrived in the 37th minute with some fortune. A slightly disorientated Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson fumbled with the ball before putting it in his own net as Arsenal took a 2-0 lead to the break.
The Gunners then thought they deserved a penalty when Gabriel Jesus went down under a challenge from a defender with all Arsenal players chasing the referee but he was not interested in the penalty claim.
Arsenal’ third goal arrived shortly after, Jesus finding himself with the ball at his feet in space after a lightning counter attack. He looked and up before sliding the ball to Leandro Trossard who coolly slotted past Henderson to make it 3-0.
Their celebrations were cut short for a moment as referee Paul Tierney made a dash to the VAR to review the goal to ascertain if there was an offside in the build-up play. However, there was no offside and the goal stood.
With Arsenal seemingly headed for a 3-0 result, they scored two in one minute through Gabriel Martinelli.
Eddie Nketiah laid the ball off to Martinelli in the fourth minute of time added on and the Brazilian forward shot from close range into the bottom right corner, leaving the goalkeeper helpless.
Martinelli then completed his brace 60 seconds later when Jorginho teed him up inside the box before he rolled the ball into the bottom right corner and past Henderson.
Victory leaves Arsenal third on the table with 43 points, two behind leaders Liverpool, who have played a game less.
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