EPL: Jesus double propels Arsenal to 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace

Gabriel Jesus continued his prolific form against Crystal Palace, scoring twice in Arsenal’s dominant 5-1 victory at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

The Brazilian forward’s impressive showing, just days after his League Cup hat-trick against the same opponents, helped Arsenal reclaim third place in the Premier League standings.

Jesus opened the scoring early in the first half, demonstrating his clinical touch in front of goal.

He added a second before the break, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick when his shot struck the post. Kai Havertz capitalized on the rebound, swiftly converting to extend Arsenal’s lead.

Crystal Palace briefly threatened to make a game of it when Ismaila Sarr equalized at 1-1.

However, Sarr squandered two golden chances early in the second half, failing to shift momentum in his team’s favor.

The result highlights Arsenal’s attacking firepower and marks another frustrating outing for Palace, who remain unable to contain the former Manchester City striker.

With five goals against them in just four days, Jesus has firmly established himself as their nemesis.

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 fifth 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.