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Jesus double lifts Christmas spirits for five-star Arsenal

football21 December 2024 20:00| © AFP
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Gabriel Jesus took his goal tally against Crystal Palace to five in four days as Arsenal hammered their London rivals 5-1 at Selhurst Park on Saturday to reclaim third spot in the Premier League.

Palace will be sick of the sight of the former Manchester City forward, who scored a hat-trick against them in the League Cup quarterfinals at the Emirates on Wednesday.

Jesus netted twice in the first half on Saturday and was only denied a third by the width of a post, with Kai Havertz reacting quickly to convert.

Palace forward Ismaila Sarr, who had pulled his team level at 1-1, failed to make the most of two inviting opportunities early in the second half.

Instead, Arsenal added two more, climbing back above Nottingham Forest, who leapfrogged them earlier in the day.

But Mikel Arteta – celebrating five years in charge at Arsenal – will be concerned after Bukayo Saka limped off midway through the first half.

Jesus opened the scoring in the sixth minute, finishing confidently after fine work from Saka on the right wing for his first Premier League goal since January.

But Palace were level just five minutes later when Sarr collected a Tyrick Mitchell pass, opening his body and bending the ball past the diving David Raya.

Arsenal's second came after a corner, with Jesus steering the ball in off the post with pinpoint precision when it fell to him.

Brimming with confidence, he headed against a post in the 38th minute, with Havertz following up to tap in.

Sarr could have done better with a diving header from close range in the opening minutes of the second half but Raya got down low to save.

Raya was called into action again minutes later, keeping out Jean-Philippe Mateta's fierce drive from distance and clutching the ball from Sarr's header on the follow-up.

But Palace were unable to reduce the deficit and instead Arsenal stretched their lead – again Jesus could have completed his hat-trick.

Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson denied the Brazil international but substitute Declan Rice made good contact with the ball and Gabriel Martinelli turned it in from close range.

Rice scored himself in the 84th minute to make it five, curling a shot from the edge of the box into the far corner.

Arteta spoke on Friday about how the "best was yet to come" as he celebrated his five-year anniversary at the Emirates, saying he was aiming for the "big trophies".

The Gunners, who have not won the Premier League since 2004, are now just three points behind leaders Liverpool but Arne Slot's team have played two games fewer.

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