Gabriel Jesus scored a brace as Arsenal whacked Crystal Palace 5-1 at Selhurst Park moving within three points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The Brazilian striker netted twice in the first 14 minutes, continuing his stunning form following a midweek Carabao Cup hat-trick against the same opposition.
His five-goal haul in four days propelled Arsenal to a convincing win in the London derby, though the Gunners suffered a setback with Bukayo Saka limping off injured in the first half.
Related news: Arsenal humble Monaco, Juventus subdue Man City
Arsenal struck early, with Saka’s deflected cross finding Jesus, who rifled a shot past Dean Henderson at the near post in the sixth minute.
However, the Eagles responded five minutes later, Ismaila Sarr curling a brilliant effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Undeterred, Arsenal reclaimed the lead three minutes later. A dangerous corner caused chaos in the Palace box, and Thomas Partey set up Jesus, who curled a sublime shot into the top corner for his second goal of the game.
Jesus nearly completed another hat-trick in the 25th minute, heading against the post. Kai Havertz capitalized on the rebound, tapping in from close range to make it 3-1.
The first half saw further opportunities for both sides. Jean-Philippe Mateta forced a fine save from David Raya, while Gabriel Magalhães hit the bar with a header from a Martin Ødegaard corner.
Palace started the second half brightly but couldn’t break through Arsenal’s defence.
The Gunners extended their lead in the 68th minute when Gabriel Martinelli redirected substitute Declan Rice’s shot into the net. Rice then capped off the performance with a superb curling strike for Arsenal’s fifth goal.
The result leaves Arsenal three points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, though they have played two more games.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace remains in mid-table after a challenging week against the in-form Gunners.
Mikel Arteta spoke on Friday about how the “best was yet to come” as he celebrated his fifth anniversary at the Emirates, saying he was aiming for the “big trophies.”
While Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Match of the Day, said: “A very good week. It is always weird to play the same opponent twice in three days. To score five goals away from home in this league is never easy.
“You could see in the days before and after he (Gabriel Jesus) was ready. I had no doubts. When a player is in that momentum he has to play.
“Some of the goals were really good from different faces. It was really positive. When he(Declan Rice) came on he gave us something else in the game. He grabbed the game and gave us control.
“We are in a really good moment. We have not lost in 10 matches, we have won five out of seven and we deserved to win all of them. We are coping with a lot of things. The team is adapting and fighting every game.”
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner told Sky Sports after the match: “It’s crazy when I compare the performance in the first half to the Emirates (in the Carabao Cup). It was far better today but we were 3-1 down and there we had the lead.
“We defended the box terrible, they punished us. If you want to beat a team like Arsenal everything has to be almost perfect. It was not good enough today. In the box too many times we watched their players.
“When you concede five it is unlikely you get a point! But we had big chances in the second half and then they scored and the game was over. We lost the belief to come back again. We gifted them the goals.
“From the first 60 minutes we can take a lot of positives. We have to defend the box but everything else one of our best performances. Of course, we will learn from it. We have to learn that when you give the top teams a crumb, they take the whole cake!”
Earlier, Gabriel Jesus had said: “Obviously the first goal was very important early. The way we started, the full team was really ready to play well and fight.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Arsenal goalscorer Gabriel said “I am very happy with the goals as a number nine, I know the pressure is always on to score. I’m the type of guy that wants to work hard. I know my qualities, I know I can score. I put two in the net and missed one I will be dreaming of.
“When I play with a smile on my face everything is different so I am trying to keep my mind strong and just help the team. I understand I have to be more in the box to finish the action. It is great to be back in the team playing more.
“I am happy to get more chances but it is up to me to put myself in the right places to score. It is Arsenal, it is a huge club and I know the pressure for the number nine to score is there.”
