Gabriel Jesus came back to haunt Crystal Palace as a first-half double helped Arsenal close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool with a clinical 5-1 win at Selhurst Park.
After firing a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Palace in their League Cup quarter-final at the Emirates in midweek, the Brazilian forward picked up from where he left by netting twice with two fine finishes (6′, 14′) after Ismaila Sarr had levelled for Palace on 11 minutes.
Arsenal lost England winger Bukayo Saka on his 250th appearance for the club to a suspected hamstring strain midway through the first half, but ran out comfortable winners with Kai Havertz (38′), Gabriel Martinelli (60′) and substitute Declan Rice (84′) securing the three points for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal – who completed the calendar year unbeaten in London derbies for the first time since 2004 – are back up to third, a point behind Chelsea and three points behind Liverpool, who visit Tottenham on Sunday.
They return to action against Ipswich at the Emirates on Friday evening with Palace in 15th spot, four points above the relegation spots, before they visit Bournemouth on Boxing Day.
