IT'S safe to assume you won't see too many stars in the night sky in Croydon.
Eredivisie 2024/2025
1-5
- Sarr (11')
Match report
The light pollution alone from the nearby IKEA superstore will do that.
But Arsenal's own angel Gabriel appeared not once, but TWICE to cap off a memorable week for himself and help his team achieve victory in their final game before Christmas.
Striker Gabriel Jesus also played a role in the third goal, which meant Kai Havertz and the revived Arsenal secured three points and regained their place in the top three well before half-time.
They now have the extra buffer of six days to prepare for their next outing: a home game against struggling Ipswich on Friday. And they do need it.
Because while this ultimately seemed like a fairly routine victory, there were hairy moments of their own making for Mikel Arteta's team.
The return of midfielder Declan Rice and defender Ricardo Calfiori in the second half was a welcome moment for the Gunners boss.
Whether this compensates for the loss of star player Bukayo Saka in the first half, with the England man limping straight down the tunnel, is another matter.
Defensive errors were at the heart of the win, meaning Palace were done by half-time and gifted Arsenal a win.
Sloppy marking, then not clearing and loss of concentration from two corners had done and dusted the game by half time.
Not that Jesus cares. He has enjoyed a phenomenal few days in his professional and personal life and will not let anyone take over the shine of his glory.
Three goals within the first fifteen minutes increased the pace of the match and stirred the crowd.
Two of those came from the rarely used Brazilian, who is now top of the table after scoring a hat-trick against Palace in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, and he added two more in the 14th minute last night.
His first was a gift after slipping in unnoticed from the left side of the attack to bury a low shot when Palace failed to deal with Saka's deep cross.
That was after just six minutes and it seemed like the perfect start from which Arsenal would continue their romp.
But the weaknesses in front of their own goal, with Rice and Calafiori not ready to start, were exposed when Palace stormed down the left through Tyrick Mitchell.
His diagonal ball inside found Ismaila Sarr as Arsenal stopped and he led backtracking center half William Saliba into a happy dance before smashing in a shot from 15 yards on 11 minutes.
Jesus restored the lead when Palace were unable to clear the danger from a corner.
Jefferson Lerma's header only fell as far as Thomas Partey, who laid the ball back for Jesus, again unmarked, to claim his second of the match and fifth of the week with a thrilling finish.
Once the most important man up front, he has not scored in the Premier League since January and only starts occasionally.
Nevertheless, he celebrated his three goals in midweek by stuffing the ball into his top and sucking his thumb after announcing his partner is pregnant.
This time he held an imaginary phone to his ear, presumably to get his agent on the phone to make money on his return to the form.
In the 37th minute, just as Palace were beginning to emerge from their early setbacks, Jesus rounded off a perfect day with the assist for the number three.
Another cross from the right, this time from Gabriel Martinelli and Jesus, who headed against the post.
Palace's dozing defenders failed to react as Havertz rushed in to tap home the rebound.
Not that there wasn't some fear. Arsenal keeper David Raya in particular will feel more confident now that Rice is back to defend his goal.
The England man came on for Havertz after 58 minutes and within 120 seconds he scored his first shot, which was diverted by Gabriel Martinelli on its way to goal, making the score 4-1.
Rice confirmed his return from injury by curling home number five in the 85th minute.
Raya pulled off a double save from Jean-Hillippe Mateta and Sarr in the second half and produced an even better stop with his feet in the first as Palace's big striker came through one-on-one.
A defeat takes the wind out of the sails for Eagles boss Oliver Glasner.
Much was made of his team's gritty 3-1 win over arch-rivals Brighton last week and they were unbeaten in five minutes before kick-off.
But it's also been seven weeks since they've won a home game of any kind and they remain stuck in the bowels of the Premier League after this collapse – four points above the bottom three.
Competition events
0' The match is about to start!
6' Jesus puts Arsenal ahead with a controlled finish! Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal
11' Goal for Crystal Palace, scored by Sarr! Crystal Palace 1-1 Arsenal (Sarr)
14' Jesus has two at Selhurst Park!! Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal
21' This should have been 2-2!
24' Saka is injured, Trossard replaces him
31' Yellow card! Booked Gabriel
37' GABRIEL hits the crossbar!
38' KAI HAVERTZ makes it three!! Crystal Palace 1-3 Arsenal (Havertz)
47' Sarr header saved by Raya
48' Martinelli crosses the penalty area, but the referee says no pen!
51' Highlight of Crystal Palace vs Arsenal
53' What a great save from Raya
57' Substitution: Clafiori on Skelly
60' Martinelli extends lead with a finish! Crystal Palace 1-4 Arsenal
66' match event for Crystal Palace vs Arsenal
79' Yellow card! Clyne booked
84' Rice curls home from the edge of the area! Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal
Setups
Crystal Palace XI: Clyne, Hughes, Lerma, Dean Henderson, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kamada, Sarr, Guehi, Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards, Tyrick Mitchell
Subs: Ward, Schlupp, Trevoh Chalobah, Matt Turner, Nketiah, Cheick Doucouré, Justin Devenny, Caleb Kporha, Asher Agbinone
Arsenal XI: Partey, David Raya, Martin Ødegaard, Jesus, Gabriel, Havertz, Martinelli, William Saliba, Saka, Jurrien Timber, Myles Lewis-Skelly
Subs: Neto, Trossard, Jorginho, Tierney, Merino, Rice, Jakub Kiwior, Calafiori, Ethan Nwaneri
Comments