It was all about the Gabriels for the Gunners on Saturday, where Gabriel Jesus scored twice, Gabriel Martinelli chipped in another, and Gabriel Magalhaes recorded an assist and led possession from the back line in a 5-1 Arsenal win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Sunday’s trip to south London to face Crystal Palace felt like the rejuvenation of their Premier League title hopes after a tough couple of weeks for the Gunners. Yet an injury to Bukayo Saka looms over the good vibes.
Declan Rice came off the bench to produce a goal and an assist in the win, while Kai Havertz also scored in the big win. Arsenal moves onto 33 points, a point back of Chelsea and three behind Liverpool. The Gunners have played two more games than the Reds and one more game than the Blues.
Ismaila Sarr scored for Palace, who were sent back to earth by Arsenal in the League Cup at midweek and now in the Premier League as well. Their 16 points are four above the bottom three.
Gabriel Jesus renaissance can shift Gunners perspective
No one’s saying that an oft-injured star delivering five goals in two games should stop Arsenal from going into the transfer market for help at center forward in January, but maybe the Gunners can play it a little safer with who joins their crew rather than pay through the nose to start 2025. Think back to the 2022-23 when Jesus arrived in North London from Manchester City and inspired many to consider him the final piece to Arsenal’s title challenge. It’s easy to call that short-sighted now, but Jesus also has not been healthy since then. If — and it’s a huge if — Jesus can fire forward with vigor, then he’s perfectly suitable to serving as the No. 9 for Arsenal. The Gunners still must address the situation and shouldn’t hesitate if they find a top target at a price they’d pay most windows, but they can also feel a little bit less desperate and express that to would-be sellers looking for Premier League dollars. And if you disagree with all of that, you can at least acknowledge that the 27-year-old Jesus — who also played a role in the third, fourth, and fifth Arsenal goals — should be front-and-center in each of the next few games as Arsenal look to chase down Chelsea and Liverpool.
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Arsenal host Ipswich Town at 3:15pm ET Friday, then go to Brentford on New Year’s Day for a 12:30pm kickoff.
Palace go to Bournemouth at 10am ET on Boxing Day (Thursday), then host Southampton at 10am Sunday in two big games that will help determine whether this season is about a relegation scrap or a fight for midtable.
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 12:30 pm ET Saturday (December 21)
Venue: Selhurst Park — London
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live on NBCSports.com
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal final score: 1-5
Gabriel Jesus 6', 15', Ismaila Sarr 12', Kai Havertz 38', Gabriel Martinelli 60', Declan Rice 84'
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal live updates — By Nick Mendola
Declan Rice goal — Palace 1-5 Arsenal (84th minute)
The North Londoners are just toying with their southern rivals.
Rice spins and fires off good work from Jesus and Riccardo Calafiori, his shot spinning across goal and inside the far corner.
Palace subs
Minutes are here for ex-Arsenal man Eddie Nketiah in place of Daichi Kamada, while minutes later Oliver Glasner removes Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma for Justin Devenny and Cheick Doucoure.
4-1 into the final quarter-hour.
Gabriel Martinelli goal — Palace 1-4 Arsenal (60th minute)
Trossard cues up Jesus for the hat trick but Henderson blocks his shot.
Rice lines up the rebound and his shot is deflected past Henderson by the plant foot of a just-onside Martinelli.
Arsenal subs
Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori enter for Kai Havertz and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
3-1 Arsenal, 59'.
Nice double save from Raya
Palace counter attack with style.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta smashes a shot toward Arsenal’s goal and Raya flies to parry it into the air.
Sarr is on the doorstep to bid at the low-speed rebound, and nods it to Raya’s right.
The Spaniard dives to collect it before it can reach the goal line.
Still 3-1 Arsenal, now in the 54th minute.
Halftime — Crystal Palace 1-3 Arsenal
Both teams have been open and taken their fair share of shots — 8-7 to Palace at the moment — but Arsenal have delivered more of the true dangerous stuff.
Jesus’ brace gives him five goals in two games going back to the midweek League Cup triumph over these same Eagles. I guess we can wait to see if his hot streak exists outside of Palace opposition, but his finishing is a breath of fresh air for Arsenal.
The Gunners have 60% possession and should get all three points, but Saka’s injury looms over the proceedings.
Kai Havertz goal! Palace 1-3 Arsenal (38th minute)
Gabriel Martinelli beats Mitchell on the right wing, and rescues the ball off the end line with a cross to the heart of the box.
Jesus rises high to head toward goal but clips the post. Havertz is there to push the ball over the line.
Maxence Lacroix makes amends
The Eagles center back gives the ball away to Gabriel Jesus, who dodges a desperation slide from Chris Richards to appear 1v1 with Dean Henderson.
But Palace’s goalkeeper is not called into action, as ex-Wolfsburg star Lacroix races back to make a sliding denial of Jesus inside the 18.
Still 2-1 Arsenal. 38'.
Bukayo Saka injured, replaced by Leandro Trossard
A worrying moment for the Gunners, who lose a man with five goals and 10 assists in 16 Premier League appearances this season.
Bukayo Saka limps off on his own power after just 25 minutes, replaced by Leandro Trossard.
We’ll have updates as soon as we hear from the Gunners or Mikel Arteta.
Palace denied a second equalizer by Raya
Raya saves the day this time.
Mateta is 1v1 with the Arsenal keeper and denied by the Spaniard, with Saliba clearing the rebound to trigger a Gunners counter that comes to nothing.
Gabriel Jesus goal (again!) — Palace 1-2 Arsenal (15th minute)
Martinelli’s corner (of course) toward the back post falls for Thomas Partey,
Back to goal, Partey lays the ball into the path of Gabriel Jesus for a hammered finish.
Arsenal back in front, and it’s glorious for the Gunners if Jesus is going to get back to his best in their shirt.
It was a warning shot! Ismaila Sarr goal — Palace 1-1 Arsenal (12th minute)
He’s in-form, and Palace are level.
Tyrick Mitchell takes the ball on the left wing and drives toward goal, snapping a quick-release shot inside Raya’s far post.
Blunder nearly costs Gunners lead
David Raya plays with the ball inside his six and he’s under pressure.
He forces a short pass to Thomas Partey, and Palace slide in and nearly push the ball home off the press.
Gabriel Jesus goal! Palace 0-1 Arsenal (6th minute)
Oh he’s been waiting for this, and Gabriel Jesus cleans up a loose ball in style.
Great start for the Gunners.
Kickoff!
Underway, with Palace in their blue and red home tops and Arsenal in teal/sky blue and purple.
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson, Clyne, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes, Kamada, Sarr, Mateta
Arsenal lineup
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Magalhaes, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Havertz, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal preview — By Andy Edwards
Mikel Arteta’s side has draw their last two PL games and failed to capitalize on leaders Liverpool also drawing twice and having a game postponed. Now, Arsenal sit 3rd in the table after red-hot Chelsea surged past them and to within two points of the summit. Arteta celebrated five years in charge at Arsenal on Friday, with the lone trophy of his tenure coming in his first (partial) season, the 2019-20 FA Cup. After finishing 2nd to Manchester City the last two years, many thought this would be the year the young Gunners broke through — especially with City tearing apart at the seams — but they have been far too inconsistent and only won half of their 16 games thus far (8W-6D-2L). If they don’t score from a set piece (23 since the start of last season - 5 more than any other side in Europe) and Bukayo Saka doesn’t put the team on his back, Arsenal have struggled mightily to consistently generate scoring chances.
Speaking of which, Crystal Palace’s attacking struggles appear to be a thing of the past now after Oliver Glasner’s side blew rivals Brighton away in a 3-1 victory last weekend and nearly beat Man City before that. Now they’re five games unbeaten (2W-3D-0L) after winning just 1 of their first 11 games to start the season. Ismaila Sarr is looking right at home back in the PL after signing from Marseille in the summer. The Senegalese winger had 2 goals and an assist against Brighton and has played a part in 5 goals in as many games. Palace have lost five straight to Arsenal, including Wednesday’s League Cup quarterfinal.
Crystal Palace team news, focus
OUT: Adam Wharton (groin), Daniel Munoz (suspension), Rob Holding (undisclosed), Matheus Franca (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Chadi Riad (fitness)
Arsenal team news, focus
OUT: Ben White (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Oleksandr Zinchenko (undisclosed)
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal prediction
Perhaps Gabriel Jesus’ hat trick in the League Cup will spark life in someone other than Saka. Palace will try to play a bit more being at home, which should give Arsenal a bit more time and space themselves — if they dare take it. Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal.
