Arsenal extended their gap at the top of the Premier League table to eight points on Sunday afternoon after beating manager-less Crystal Palace 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Embed from Getty ImagesFollowing their Europa League exit to Sporting Lisbon in mid-week, Mikel Arteta’s men responded in impressive fashion as they made it six successive Premier League wins going into the latest international break. A brace from England-bound Bukayo Saka as well as strikes from Gabriel Martinelli and Granit Xhaka made sure the Gunners comfortably wrapped up all three points to move them eight points clear of reigning champions Manchester City. Saka’s contributions have made him the first player to score 10+ goals and provide 10+ assists in the Premier League this season.
Without a win since the turn of the year, the Eagles made the decision to part ways with former Arsenal invincible Patrick Viera on Friday afternoon, leaving under-21s coach Paddy McCarthy with the reigns for their trip to north-London. Palace went into the match without a single shot on target in their previous three league outings and despite Jeffrey Schlupp finding the back of the net from Michael Olise’s second-half corner, the match was already well beyond the Eagles’ reach. The defeat makes it four on the bounce for Palace and leaves them just three points above the relegation zone with the season climax just over the horizon.
Arsenal will be looking to continue their title push when hosting Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium after the international break whilst Crystal Palace will be wanting to pull away from the drop zone when they face fellow relegation candidates Leicester City at Selhurst Park.
