Jesus scores another double as Gunners close gap on Liverpool

Gabriel Jesus was the scourge of Crystal Palace for the second time in four days as his early brace paved the way for a resounding Arsenal victory at Selhurst Park.

Jesus scored a hat-trick when the teams met in midweek, Arsenal winning the EFL Cup quarter-final 3-2 at the Emirates, and scored twice in the first 14 minutes here as the Gunners came close three points behind leaders Liverpool, although The Merseysiders have two games in hand.

Jesus’ first goal was canceled out by Ismaila Sarr, but the former Manchester City player quickly scored again and further goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice secured a resounding victory.

Arsenal achieve their biggest victory of the season! 👊🔴#CRYARS | #FestivalAccessories pic.twitter.com/b2KrMokxJg

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 21, 2024

The only negative in a night full of positives for Mikel Arteta was Bukayo Saka’s first-half injury which could limit his availability over the festive period.

Jesus had not scored a league goal since January but, no doubt full of confidence after his exploits on Wednesday night, opened his account after six minutes.

Saka’s cross from the right was not cleared and fell to Jesus at the far post and he reacted well to shoot right footed under goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Palace equalized after 11 minutes with a beautiful back-and-forth move.

Tyrick Mitchell led the charge, sliding the ball towards Sarr and took advantage of William Saliba’s slack defending to run unopposed into the box and curl a good shot past David Raya’s left hand.

However, Palace were level for only three minutes, when Arsenal scored again from a corner.

A delivery from the left flank was not cleared and, after Thomas Partey showed great composure as he had the ball down and spotted Jesus lurking just inside the area, the Brazil international coolly slotted into the top right corner.

Gabriel Jesús LOVES scoring against Crystal Palace 🤯

Five goals in one week against Las Águilas 💥 pic.twitter.com/Y7mDDmj7nG

– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 21, 2024

The match showed no signs of slowing down and Palace should have equalized again after 20 minutes following more sloppy play from Saliba.

The French international was dispossessed by Sarr and played in Jean-Philippe Mateta but Raya came out quickly to block the shot.

Saka limped off after 24 minutes, which will be a concern for Arteta, but he did not disrupt his team’s attacking flow.

Jesús was denied by a great tackle from Maxence Lacroix and from the resulting corner, Gabriel headed against the crossbar. The danger was not yet over for the hosts and, after allowing Arsenal to maintain possession, Jesús headed a Martinelli cross from the right to the left post, but Havertz was on hand to tip the ball over the line.

Gabriel Jesús denied a hat-trick by the post 👀

Kai Havertz collects the rebound 🙌 pic.twitter.com/jtpQlpAZOa

– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 21, 2024

Palace came out firing after the break and only two moments of great goalkeeping from Raya prevented them from halving the gap. First he ducked well to avoid Sarr’s header and then made a brilliant double save to deny Mateta from long range and Sarr’s somewhat tame follow-up.

After introducing Rice and Riccardo Calafiori from the bench, Arsenal secured the points after one hour.

Rice’s first touch was to shoot at goal after Henderson’s feet had again denied Jesus a hat-trick and Martinelli was on hand to convert.

England midfielder Rice got his name on the scoresheet with six minutes remaining, bending his shot past Henderson and into the bottom right corner.

It was a spectacular victory for Arsenal, who host struggling Ipswich on Friday.