By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-01-20 14:39:05
Arsenal reinvigorated their Premier League title aspirations with a resounding 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace, showcasing their relentless attack and getting back to their winning ways. The Gunners’ centre-back Gabriel was the standout performer, contributing significantly to the team’s success with a goal and an own goal forced by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson in the first half. Additionally, Leandro Trossard scored the third goal in the 60th minute, and substitute Gabriel Martinelli netted twice in stoppage time. This important win sees Mikel Arteta’s men level with Manchester City and Aston Villa, just two points behind league leaders Liverpool.
After enduring a challenging period that saw them win just once in seven games prior to a winter break, Arsenal’s two-week warm-weather training camp in Dubai appeared to rejuvenate the team. The match against Palace was a testament to their revived form, although the struggling state of their opponents should be taken into consideration. Palace, who have only won once in 12 games, are currently at risk of relegation, a situation that has intensified the pressure on manager Roy Hodgson.
Arsenal’s reliance on set pieces for goals has been notable this season, and the pattern continued in the game against Palace. Two well-taken corners led to goals for Gabriel, showcasing the team’s proficiency in this aspect of the game. Despite Palace’s efforts to test Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya, they were ultimately outplayed, as demonstrated by Trossard’s clinical finish after a swift counter-attack. The defeat leaves Palace still precariously perched above the relegation zone, with discontented fans displaying their frustrations towards the club’s leadership.
Martinelli, who was initially dropped from the starting lineup due to a lack of goals, re-emerged with a bang, scoring two goals in stoppage time. His impact highlighted the depth of Arsenal’s attacking options, providing Arteta with valuable options from the bench.
Overall, Arsenal’s convincing victory over Crystal Palace has reignited their title challenge, enabling them to close the gap on the league leaders. However, the test will be to maintain this level of performance as they aim for silverware and continued success in the Premier League.
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