IT IS safe to assume you do not see too many stars in the night sky in Croydon.
Light pollution from the nearby IKEA superstore alone will see to that.
GettyGabriel Jesus led the way with a brace as Arsenal smashed Crystal Palace 5-1[/caption]
ReutersThe Brazilian now has five goals in his last two games[/caption]
GettyThe Gunners fired out a title warning to rivals[/caption]
GettyArsenal saw star man Bukayo Saka limp off injured[/caption]
But Arsenal’s very own angel Gabriel appeared not once but TWICE to cap a memorable week for himself and help his team clinch victory in their last game before Christmas.
Striker Gabriel Jesus also played a part in the third goal which meant Kai Havertz and revitalised Arsenal secured three points and their place back in the top three long before half time.
They have the added cushion of six days now in which to prepare for their next outing – a home game against struggling Ipswich on Friday. And they do need it.
For while this finished up looking a fairly routine win, 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 it makes up for the loss of star turn Bukayo Saka in the first half, with the England man limping straight down the tunnel is another matter.
Underpinning the win were the defensive lapses which meant Palace were done for by half time and Arsenal were gifted a win.
Sloppy marking, then failing to clear and losing concentration from two corners had the game done and dusted by the break.
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Not that Jesus cares. He has enjoyed a phenomenal few days in his professional and personal life and won’t let anyone take the gloss of his glory.
Three goals inside the first quarter of an hour got the tempo of the game up and stirred the crowd.
GettyJesus got Arsenal off to a flyer in the sixth minute[/caption]
ReutersThe ace continued his fine form after a hat-trick against Palace in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday[/caption]
Two of them came from the rarely-used Brazilian who is on a high right now after scoring a hat-trick against Palace in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and added two more by the 14th minute last night.
His first was a gift after ghosting in unnoticed from the left side of attack to bury a low shot when Palace did not deal with a deep cross from Saka.
That was after only six minutes and it appeared the perfect start from which Arsenal would go on and romp it.
But the weaknesses in front of their own goal with Rice and Calafiori not fit to start were exposed when Palace burst down the left through Tyrick Mitchell.
GettyIsmaila Sarr equalised for Palace five minutes later[/caption]
AFPThe Eagles looked to gain confidence from the strike[/caption]
GettyJesus calmed Arsenal’s nerves with another goal straight after[/caption]
AFPThe Brazilian is coming into form after a mixed season[/caption]
His diagonal ball inside found Ismaila Sarr as Arsenal stood off and he led backtracking centre half William Saliba a merry dance before curling in a shot from 15 yards on 11 minutes.
Jesus restored the lead when Palace could not clear the danger from a corner.
Jefferson Lerma’s header fell only 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 blistering finish.
Once the main man up front, he has not scored in the Premier League since January and only starts occasionally.
ReutersKai Havertz gave Arsenal a two-goal cushion[/caption]
GettyHe celebrated with the ball under his shirt[/caption]
ReutersGabriel Martinelli made it 4-1 in the second half[/caption]
PAHe celebrated his strike passionately[/caption]
Nevertheless, he celebrated his three goals in midweek by stuffing the ball up his top and sucking his thumb having announced his partner is pregnant.
This time he held an imaginary phone to his ear presumably to get his agent on the phone to cash in on his return to form.
In the 37th minute, just as Palace were starting to rouse themselves from the early setbacks, Jesus then rounded off a perfect day by providing the assist for number three.
Another cross from the right, this time from Gabriel Martinelli and Jesus rose to head against the post.
Palace’s dozing defenders failed to respond as Havertz dashed in to tap home the rebound.
PADeclan Rice put the finishing touches on a fine win[/caption]
AFPArsenal moved a point behind Chelsea in third[/caption]
GettyArsenal are now sweating over the fitness of Saka[/caption]
GettyHis injury comes ahead of a tricky Christmas run[/caption]
Not that there weren’t a few scares. Arsenal keeper David Raya especially will feel more assured now that Rice is back to shield his goal.
The England man came on for Havertz on 58 minutes and within 120 seconds took his first shot, which was diverted en route to goal by Gabriel Martinelli to make it 4-1.
Rice confirmed his return from injury by curling home number five in the 85th minute.
Raya made 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 when Palace’s big striker was through one-on-one.
Defeat takes the wind out of the sails for Eagles boss Oliver Glasner.
Much was made of his team’s spirited 3-1 win at arch rivals Brighton last week and they were unbeaten in five ahead of kick off.
But it’s also been seven weeks since they won a home game of any sort and they remain stuck in the bowels of the Premier League after this collapse – four points above the bottom three.
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