Arsenal showcased their attacking prowess with a dominant 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on December 21, 2024. Just days after eliminating Palace from the Carabao Cup, the Gunners needed this win to reignite their title hopes and maintain pressure on league leaders Liverpool.
The match started explosively for Arsenal as Gabriel Jesus found the back of the net twice within the first 15 minutes, illustrating his importance to Mikel Arteta's lineup. Despite Ismaila Sarr leveling the score for Palace shortly after Jesus' second goal, the Gunners quickly regained control. Within moments, Kai Havertz scored from the rebound of Jesus’ header, sending Arsenal to halftime with a comfortable 3-1 lead.
Jesus, who had scored a hat-trick just days earlier, played like a man possessed, coming inches away from completing another hat-trick when his header hit the post. "Gabriel Jesus justified selection with two goals early in the game," noted Football Today, emphasizing his remarkable resurgence.
The second half was no kinder to Crystal Palace. Arsenal maintained their momentum, with Gabriel Martinelli adding the fourth goal shortly after the interval. Declan Rice capped off the evening with the fifth and his first Premier League goal of the season, locking down the match comfortably for Arsenal. Rice’s stellar performance following his return from injury was particularly highlighted, with pundits noting how "Declan Rice’s stellar second half performance paved the way for this heavy win."
Despite the significant scoreline, many observers, including Palace supporters, lamented their team’s lack of conviction. Palace fan Mark expressed his disappointment, stating, "Arsenal finished their chances and we didn't." Echoing these sentiments, another frustrated fan noted, "We looked tired and ended up getting schooled," as Crystal Palace struggled to adapt after their midweek cup defeat.
Arsenal's success was not simply due to Palace's shortcomings; they displayed attacking flair and tactical intelligence. Positioned effectively by Arteta, the Gunners exploited their numerical advantages, particularly on the flanks where Bukayo Saka and Martinelli created several dangerous opportunities. Arsenal’s tactical flexibility was put on full display with numerous players committing to offensive action and overwhelming the Palace defense.
One key factor was Martinelli’s dynamic performance on the right wing, especially after Saka was withdrawn due to injury concerns, which left many concerned about the Gunners’ attacking capabilities. His performance proved otherwise, contributing to multiple scoring opportunities and ensuring Arsenal’s edge was maintained throughout the match.
The victory also held significance for Arteta’s squad as they now sit back and wait for favorable results from other fixtures. With Liverpool six points clear at the top of the league, every match is pivotal if Arsenal aims to challenge for the Premier League title. Their recent offensive outputs—particularly strong showings against Palace—indicate they have what it takes to compete at the highest levels, provided they maintain consistency.
While celebrating the emphatic win, the Gunners face challenges moving forward, especially with the injury to Saka, who exited the field holding his hamstring, raising concerns about his fitness for upcoming fixtures.
For Crystal Palace, the match served as another wake-up call. Having shown flashes of quality offensively, particularly through Sarr and Mateta, their inability to finish chances haunted the Eagles. Their pressing game—which was aggressive and engaging—was productive but failed to result in the necessary goals. A member of the Palace fan base pointedly remarked, "We are carrying too many players who give the ball away cheaply,” hinting at potential areas for improvement.
Moving past this disappointing match, Palace will need to regroup and focus on their next encounters, hoping to build on their promising parts of the game to secure needed points. For Arsenal, the momentum gained from this significant victory could be just what they need as the season progresses.
