Breaking: Arsenal thrash Crystal Palace 5-0 at Emirates

Arsenal moved to third in the Premier League with a comfortable 5-0 win over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Gabriel scored the opener in the first half before forcing a Palace goalkeeper, Dean Henderson, own goal.

Crystal Palace

After the break, Arsenal then scored from a Palace corner, which David Raya claimed and fed Gabriel Jesus on the break.

The Brazilian found Leandro Trossard, who did Arsenal’s much-maligned forward group a favour by finishing a clear-cut chance at the Emirates Stadium.

Crystal Palace then gave up in stoppage time as Gabriel Martinelli scored twice to put a sensational gloss on the scoreline.

It was another disappointing afternoon for Crystal Palace, who stay five points above the relegation zone. The pressure is firmly on the club’s manager, Roy Hodgson.

The victory moved Arsenal within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool. It moved the Gunners above Aston Villa into third – with the pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to extend their lead at the top as they travel to Bournemouth on Sunday.

However, the result did come at a cost for title-chasing Arsenal, who saw goal-getter Declan Rice and Gabriel go off with injuries in the second half.

Meanwhile, it is one win in 12 matches in all competitions for Hodgson’s Palace, who unveiled two angry banners towards full-time which read: ‘Wasted potential on and off the pitch, weak decisions taking us backwards’ and ‘no shared vision no structured plan’.

Arsenal’s next game is away to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Tuesday, January 30.

The Gunners then host title rivals Liverpool in a huge game on February 4.

Crystal Palace are next in action at home to Sheffield United in the Premier League on January 30.

The Eagles then travel to rivals Brighton on Saturday, February 3.

The Star