Premier League GW21 - Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

Arsenal and Crystal Palace squared off in a Premier League match that was sure to be exciting at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal targeted a comeback against a struggling Palace team, fresh from a break and keen to end a run of defeats.

Arsenal:

Arsenal is hoping to snap a three-match losing streak after their FA Cup loss to Liverpool. They recently returned from a trip in Dubai. With a win today, the fourth-place Gunners will move up to third in the Premier League, where they would be keen to cut the five-point deficit with leaders Liverpool.

Crystal Palace:

Palace's shape is also a problem. The Eagles have only won one of their last 11 games, losing six of them, and are currently sitting in 14th place in the Premier League, only five points above the relegation zone. But in their last three visits to Arsenal, they have gone undefeated under Roy Hodgson.

Line Ups:

ARSENAL (4-3-3):

David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard.

SUBS: Aaron Ramsdale, Reuell Walters, Jakub Kiwior, Cedric Soares, Jorginho, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli, Reiss Nelson.

CRYSTAL PALACE (4-3-3):

​Dean Henderson; Nathaniel Clyne, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell; Jefferson Lerma, Chris Richards, Eberechi Eze; Will Hughes, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Jeffrey Schlupp.

SUBS: Sam Johnstone, James Tomkins, Tayo Adaramola, Naouirou Ahamada, David Ozoh, Jairo Riedewald, Odsonne Edouard, Malcolm Ebiowei, Matheus Franca.

Emirates Stadium | Picture Credits: The FA

First Half: Gabriel's Double Delight

In the eleventh minute, Gabriel Magalhaes rose beautifully to nod in Declan Rice's corner, giving Arsenal the lead 1-0. Arsenal's positive intent was evident from the start. Gabriel's defensive skills were once again on display when, in the 37th minute, he headed at goal from Bukayo Saka's corner and it deflected off Dean Henderson's head, extending Arsenal's lead.

Gabriel was instrumental in both of Arsenal's goals, which gave them a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break. Even though they had more shots on goal, Palace was behind and needed to catch up.

Second Half: Trossard and Martinelli Seal the Show

In the second half, Arsenal did not lose time in increasing their lead. In the 59th minute, Leandro Trossard scored a goal to make it 3-0 after capitalising on a spectacular counterattack. Gabriel Jesus provided a crisp pass, and Trossard finished decisively past Henderson.

As the game was coming to an end, Gabriel Martinelli, the substitute, took centre stage. In the ninetieth minute, Saka and Eddie Nketiah coordinated a quick counterattack, which Martinelli finished with outstanding poise. Martinelli scored again shortly after, in the 90th+5 minute, after Jorginho sent a superbly weighted throughball to Henderson.

Arsenal's Commanding 5-0 Triumph

When the final whistle blew, Arsenal's decisive 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace was confirmed. Trossard's exquisite finish, Gabriel's defensive skills, and Martinelli's late brace combined to create a dominant display that spectacularly ended Arsenal's losing streak.

While Arsenal celebrates their resounding victory, all eyes are on their next game against Nottingham Forest, where they hope to continue this momentum. However, Crystal Palace, who has already suffered seven losses in 12 games, will look to bounce back when they play Sheffield United in their upcoming league match. Today the Emirates were treated to a football spectacular.

Gabriel's goals gave Arsenal the 2-0 lead in the first half | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

Trossard added one more goal to Arsenal 3-0 lead | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

Martinelli's late goals in the second half increased Arsenals lead to 5-0 | Picture Credits: Premier League Website