Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points after a routine home win over managerless Crystal Palace.
The Gunners, aiming to win the Premier League for the first time since 2003-04, took the lead at Emirates Stadium thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s left-footed strike, his sixth in six league games.
Bukayo Saka doubled the lead after receiving a pass from Ben White and curling a shot past 19-year-old goalkeeper Joe Whitworth.
Granit Xhaka put the game out of reach with a first-time finish from Leandro Trossard’s assist, but Jeffrey Schlupp equalized from close range after a corner for Palace’s first goal in five games.
The excellent Saka, however, restored Arsenal’s three-goal lead with a guided finish from Kiernan Tierney’s pull-back to seal the win.
Arsenal have 69 points from 28 games, while Manchester City, who beat Burnley 6-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, have 61 points from 28 games.
Palace fired manager Patrick Vieira on Friday, and the club has now gone 13 games without a win in all competitions, leaving them just three points above the relegation zone.
Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace: Reactions and Analysis
Visit our Crystal Palace page to get straight to the best Arsenal content.
Arsenal is back in business after a disappointing European campaign.
This was the ideal response for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after his team lost on penalties to Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League last 16 on Thursday.
After Martinelli scored his 13th goal of the season, there appeared to be only one winner, with Palace powerless to stop Arsenal.
Saka’s goal, confirmed by the video assistant referee after an offside check, made it 2-0, and Xhaka added a third in the 55th minute.
Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points after a routine home win over managerless Crystal Palace.
The Gunners, aiming to win the Premier League for the first time since 2003-04, took the lead at Emirates Stadium thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s left-footed strike, his sixth in six league games.
Bukayo Saka doubled the lead after receiving a pass from Ben White and curling a shot past 19-year-old goalkeeper Joe Whitworth.
Granit Xhaka put the game out of reach with a first-time finish from Leandro Trossard’s assist, but Jeffrey Schlupp equalized from close range after a corner for Palace’s first goal in five games.
The excellent Saka, however, restored Arsenal’s three-goal lead with a guided finish from Kiernan Tierney’s pull-back to seal the win.
Arsenal have 69 points from 28 games, while Manchester City, who beat Burnley 6-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, have 61 points from 28 games.
Palace fired manager Patrick Vieira on Friday, and the club has now gone 13 games without a win in all competitions, leaving them just three points above the relegation zone.
Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace: Reactions and Analysis
Visit our Crystal Palace page to get straight to the best Arsenal content.
Arsenal is back in business after a disappointing European campaign.
This was the ideal response for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after his team lost on penalties to Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League last 16 on Thursday.
After Martinelli scored his 13th goal of the season, there appeared to be only one winner, with Palace powerless to stop Arsenal.
Saka’s goal, confirmed by the video assistant referee after an offside check, made it 2-0, and Xhaka added a third in the 55th minute.