Arsenal put their recent poor form behind them as they brushed aside Crystal Palace 5-0 to rise to third in the Premier League.
A first half brace from Gabriel was followed up by Leandro Trossard’s first goal in 12 games, before Gabriel Martinelli wrapped up the win with a stoppage time brace. Crystal Palace remain in 14th place after their tenth defeat of the season.
Here are five things we learned from the match…
Arsenal put poor form behind them
It’s been a difficult last six weeks for Arsenal. One win in seven in all competitions has seen the Gunners drop from first to fourth in the Premier League and exit the FA Cup in the Third Round. Returning after a two week winter break and a midseason training camp in Dubai, Mikel Arteta’s men looked back to their brilliant best, slicing through Crystal Palace with ease. The north Londoners were dominant from set pieces, with both their goals in the first half coming from corners.
Gabriel the goalscoring centre back
He might be a top class defender, but try and stop Gabriel from set pieces at your peril. The Brazilian centre back is usually most effective at stopping attacks from set pieces, but today his best position was in the Crystal Palace penalty area. The 25-year-old headed in twice in the first half to put his side in a comfortable position, before an astute defensive performance in the second half ensured Mikel Arteta’s men returned to winning ways.
Arsenal set piece domination continues
Arsenal may have found scoring from open play difficult in recent weeks, but they have been kings of set pieces all campaign. Mikel Arteta’s side have scored more goals from corners than any other team in the Premier League this season with 10, while their 11 headed goals are also the most of any team after Gabriel headed in twice from two corners in the first half. Three of the Gunners’ last five goals in the top flight have come from set pieces, and all three have been scored by Gabriel.
Eze impresses on 100th Premier League appearance
Eberechi Eze is destined to play for one of the Premier League’s top sides in the near future. Despite playing the full match in Palace’s defeat to Arsenal, the 25-year-old was arguably one of, if not the only bright spark in Roy Hodgson’s side as he caused the north Londoners plenty of problems throughout. Defeat meant a sour end to his 100th Premier League appearance for the south London outfit, becoming the 10th player to reach that milestone for Palace. If the England international continues impressing, a move to a bigger club could well be on the cards.
Palace capitulate in heavy defeat
It is not looking good for Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace. Defeat today saw the Eagles slump to their heaviest defeat of the season, leaving them in 14th and with only one win in 14 matches. Their tally of 21 points is their lowest after 21 matches of a Premier League campaign since they amassed 19 in 2018-19 during Roy Hodgson’s first spell as manager. Now only five points off the relegation zone, Palace supporters voiced their displeasure at the way their side has been managed from the top.
