Arsenal thrashed Crystal Palace 5-1 at Selhurst Park after manager Mikel Arteta got a big decision right but were left fearing how long star man Bukayo Saka will be out injured for.
The exhilarating Gunners’ five-goal rout cut the gap between them and Premier League leaders Liverpool to only three points – albeit having played two games more – with a strong showing at Selhurst Park on Saturday night.
Arteta rewarded Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick for his team midweek against the same opponents in a 3-2 Carabao Cup win, with a place in his starting line up. And the Brazilian forward repaid that faith by bagging a brace – his first goals in the Premier League since January.
However, Saka seemed to pull his hamstring while attempting to deliver a cross just past the 20-minute mark, in what could be a massive blow to the Gunners’ title hopes. Saka then received treatment from the Gunners‘ physio for a few minutes.
The 23-year-old England ace immediately headed for the tunnel, sparking concerns about the seriousness of the problem. Saka’s departure put a damper on proceedings for Arsenal.
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The Gunners face crucial matches against Ipswich Town, Brentford and Brighton in the Premier League over the Christmas period and may have to do so with Saka.
The performance and result were certainly impressive. Jesus opened the scoring after good work from Gabriel Martinelli in the sixth minute. Five minutes later, Palace fired back through Ismaila Sarr, who beat David Raya with a fine drive from the edge of the box to equalise.
However, just three minutes after levelling proceedings, Palace were again behind, thanks to another Jesus goal, following a corner routine that saw the ball break to him after a Gabriel header.
(Image: Getty Images)
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Kai Havertz then made it three shortly before half-time, when he converted from close range, after Jesus was only denied a hat-trick by the post.
Then in the second half goals from Martinelli in the 60th minute, following up on a saved Declan Rice effort, and then a goal from Rice himself in the 84th minute, put the result beyond doubt.
After coming agonisingly close to winning the Premier League title twice in the last two years, Arteta and his players know they cannot afford to lose more ground on Arne Slot’s team, especially during the upcoming flurry of fixtures in between Christmas and New Year.