Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Gabriel Martinelli nets two after namesake Magalhaes’ instrumental role

He’s just been speaking to TNT.

Here’s what he had to say.

It was really important to win today, but that early goal from big Gabby was really nice. It calmed us and helped us to control the game more. Dubai was really nice for us to have that break. We weren’t in the best form before that and we worked on what we needed to and sharepend our tools. We know we can score goals and we scored five today.

I needed that break. I believe (we can win the league). We’re all hungry and refreshed mentally and phsycially. Going out of the FA Cup really hurt me and all the boys and the fans so we’ll use that hunger to really push in the Premier League and Champions League next month.

Every game we come up against a low block. There’s less space for me out wide, a lot of 2-on-1s. It’s not easy and it’s just about me studying it, finding a solution, and getting that space. It hasn’t been easy and I’m still trying and I think we’re still doing well as a team.

Another poignant image.

You do wonder whether Roy Hodgson will come under serious pressure in his role now, especially with Graham Potter in attendance today.

He did a brilliant job to keep them up last season, but they do seem to be going backwards on and off the pitch and completely collapsed at the end of the game.

We mentioned those banners unfurled by Crystal Palace supporters towards the club’s hierarchy in the latter stages of the game.

You do feel like not all is well there at the moment and they are badly struggling with injuries, while they never really replaced Wilfried Zaha.

‘Wasted potential on and off the pitch. Weak decisions. Taking us backwards.’

‘No shared vision. No structured plan.’

Ruthless on the break, clinical at set pieces and an ability to impact the game off the bench.

Three crucial factors which could be massive for Arsenal in the title race.

A welcome return to form for Gunners supporters after a thoroughly enjoyable and comfortable afternoon for them at the Emirates.

Two carbon-copy goals from Martinelli and that will do him good after a difficult run of form.

The Brazilian had scored just twice in the Premier League before today and had seen Trossard take his place from the start today.

You have to feel for Hodgson though who just looked a bit defeated at the end of that game.

Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes have just been speaking to TNT Sports post match.

Here’s what they had to say.

We know our quality. it doesn’t matter what people say and we showed our quality and what we can do today. A clean sheet, scoring five goals. It’s very good and an important game for us. We will try our best for the title and keep going – Martinelli

We work a lot on set pieces because we know the quality of players we have and today I scored two goals on set piece so we keep going – Magalhaes

A resounding and comfortable victory for Arsenal who romp to victory thanks to a brace from Gabriel Martinelli, one each from Gabriel Magalhaes and Leandro Trossard, plus a Dean Henderson own goal.

In truth, it was a hugely controlled performance from the Gunners, who cruised through that game and scored five goals from six shots on target.

A worrying afternoon for Crystal Palace though, who seemed to fold at the end of the game, and had generally limited their opponents to not that many chances for most of the game, but still conceded five.

Arsenal move within two points of Liverpool, while Palace stay five clear of the bottom three.

No sooner had I finished typing about Martinelli’s first that he’s scored again.

Arsenal win the ball back and Jorginho lofts the ball in behind to Martinelli.

He runs towards goal and in an almost carbon-copy, he opens up his body and curls past Henderson again.

A sorry, sorry day for Crystal Palace.

Icing on the cake.

Saka wins the ball off Eze and Arsenal stretch Palace.

Nketiah feeds in Martinelli, who bears down on goal before finishing cooly past Henderson.

Job done and a resounding victory for the hosts.

Six minutes added time.

Palace then force a corner, but Richards heads over.

Some of the visiting supporters have unfurled a couple of banners in the away end, criticisng the ownership’s lack of ambition and accusing them of taking the club backwards.

A poignant statement after what has been a comfortable afternoon for Arsenal.

Good play from Arsenal again, with Smith-Rowe and Martinelli – who have been bright since coming on – linking up well.

Andersen heads clear to Zinchenko, who is deperate to get the ball on his left foot.

However, his effort is weak and straight at Henderson.

Arsenal are cruising and having all the play, without finding a way to get that fourth goal.

This has been a controlled and much-needed performance from them.

The lesser-spotted James Tomkins now replaces Marc Guehi for just his second Premier League appearance of the season.

Another Crystal Palace corner and another relenteless Arsenal break.

Mitchell just about does enough to deal with Martinelli, before Lerma blocks Odegaard’s shot.

Meanwhile, Gabriel is down holding his knee, while reports are circulating that Rice was actually forced off with a hamstring injury.

Nketiah will replace Jesus in the meantime, while Kiwior is coming on for Gabriel.

Saka – who is now assist-less after Gabriel’s second was given as a Henderson own goal – fires wide after good play from Arsenal.

It has been a decent display from the right-sided attacker today, but he still looks short of his best form from last season.

Meanwhile, Ahmada and Franca are on for Clyne and Schlupp.

You can take a look at Trossard’s goal below. It was a brilliant counter-attack, with starring roles from Raya, Jesus and the Belgian.

Meanwhile, Rice is going to get a well-deserved rest, with Jorginho replacing him.

And now a double change for Arsenal.

Smith-Rowe – who was given a huge cheer by Arsenal fans as he came on after the speculation about his future this week – has replaced Havertz.

Meanwhile, it’s a straight swap on the left with Martinelli on for Trossard.

A ruthless counter-attack from Arsenal for that goal and Jesus did brilliantly to set up Trossard.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace starlet Ozoh is on for Hughes in the middle of the park as they make their first substitute.

They won’t give up though!

Palace win a free kick.

Eze steps up and fires at goal. It’s straight at Raya, but he still does well to tip it over.

That’s his third good save of the game and he will be feeling very pleased with himself after the hand he played in Arsenal’s third goal.

This could get messy!

Arsenal look full of conifidnece now and they break forward again.

Trossard’s cross comes out to Odegaard. He squares to Jesus, but Guehi does brilliantly to block the effort.

This really is a horrible position for Palace to be in now, and they just haven’t been able to stop the goals going in, although they will be disappointed with the manner they were conceded in.

Raya claims Hughes’ cross after Palace forced a corner.

He quickly releases Jesus with a delightful throw.

The Brazilian runs forward and plays the ball across to Trossard. The Belgian cuts inside and Clyne slips, before he fires past Henderson.

There will be a check, but it looks clearly onside – and is given!

Game over and the end of Trossard’s 10-game goal drought.

Arsenal force a corner.

It causes all sorts of trouble, this time from Odegaard’s delivery.

Saka’s shot is then blocked and Jesus tries to get there, but goes down theatrically.

There’s a check for a penalty, but the contact from Clyne wasn’t enough to be seen as a clear and obvious error.

I did say it looked first up like a Henderson own goal for Gabriel’s second, but it was given to the Brazilian.

However, that decision has now been reviewed and it is in fact an own goal and the defender just has one to his name.

But an equaly good response from Crystal Palace.

They work it to dangerman Eze again, and he jinks forward before firing at goal from 30 yards.

It bounces just before Raya and he does well to turn it around the post.

Arsenal then break after Raya collects the corner, but Trossard scuffs his shot from Jesus’ pull-back. A huge chance!

A positive start from Arsenal who force an early corner.

There’s almost an expectance inside the Emirates right now from set pieces given that first half.

Crystal Palace deal with this one better though and Rice stings the palms of Henderson with a shot, but it’s comfortable for the England keeper.

Arsenal get us back underway.

You feel it will take a miracle for Crystal Palace to get back into the game, but you never know.

I’m going to put my neck on the line and say I think it probably is the right decision to award the goal.

That would’ve been a very soft foul and is similar to the first one. But, again if they are ruled out during the game, you’d expect VAR to stick with the decision.

A couple of borderline calls to go the Gunners’ way I guess.

The second has also been awarded to Gabriel despite Henderson getting the last touch. We’ll see if that decision changes if it’s reviewed though.

But, for now, it’s an unprecedented brace for the centre back.

And that’s that for the first 45 minutes and who would have thought two goals from Gabriel would be the difference at the break.

Arsenal have dominated much of the play, but Crystal Palace have generally defended from open play well.

However, two set pieces have been their undoing as the Gunners continued their remarkable record from them.

First, Gabriel rose above Richards from Rice’s corner to head home, although there were questions, led by Neville, over whether it was a foul.

Then, another corner, this time from the other side delivered by Saka caused chaos, with Gabriel running round the back to head home off the back off Henderson.

Although, again, White did seem to block the Palace keeper, but maybe – as we saw with Luton’s goal at Burnley last week – we are just used to keepers being protected.

It seems like it will be a long way back for the visitors, who have struggled to threaten, although Raya was forced into one good save from Lerma.

Brilliant play from Arsenal as Trossard, Havertz and Jesus link up.

Trossard is played in, but he fires over with his left foot.

Nice from the Belgian though and Arsenal look full of confidence in what has been a professional first half performance.

Lerma is up and back on, with four minutes to be added on.

The midfielder then fires another long range effort at goal, but Raya collects at the second attempt.

Meanwhile, former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter is here today.

Maybe just taking in some football as he continues to plot a return to management, but his presence does come amid the pressure ramping up on Roy Hodgson.

Two set pieces, two goals.

Crystal Palace really aren’t happy with that and I’ve definitely seen what White did to Henderson given as a foul multiple times.

But Arsenal won’t care one bit.

Meanwhile, there’s a break in play after Lerma is involved in a nasty clash with Jesus and catches the back of his head.

But, thankfully he looks OK to continue.

And again! Although it looks as if this might have gone in off Henderson.

Arsenal win a corner. Saka fires in a wonderful inswinging ball. Henderson can’t come out and collect and Gabriel is there at the back post to head home.

There will be a check… but it’s given!

That did really look like White was holding Henderson in the centre, meaning the Crystal Palace keeper couldn’t get anywhere near the ball.

And it has gone back in off Henderson as Gabriel headed back across goal so I think that will be given as an own goal by the Palace keeper, but it’s yet to be confirmed.

Arsenal look so dangerous from these set pieces today.

Ooh! Better from Palace.

They put put pressure on the Gunners at the back. Saliba knocks it back to Raya, who plays a dreadful ball out.

Lerma collects at the edge of the area and fires at goal early, and Raya makes up for his error by making a sprawling save, before the hosts clear the corner.

The last 10 minutes has been improved from Palace and Arsenal are yet to test Henderson since the goal.

Great work from Eze again, who draws a foul from Rice to win a free kick in a dangerous position.

He lines up the set piece but fires it straight at the wall.

It comes to Clyne, who belts it back in but it catches Mateta off-guard and he can’t control and Arsenal clear.

Eze, lining up on the left of Crystal Palace’s midfield, is going to be hugely relied upon by his team-mates if they are to get back into this game.

He does well to win the ball off Trossard, before winning a foul when he didn’t really have anywhere to go.

Arsenal deal with the free kick with ease though and continue to enjoy a comfortable afternoon at the back so far.

Palace’s xG currently stands at 0.00.

Arsenal’s set piece record really is something…

Neat play from Arsenal, who are really breaking the lines with their play.

Jesus looks full of confidence and is linking up play well, before Richards does well to clear a dangerous ball from Saka and Gabriel heads wide the resulting corner.

Meanwhile, Gary Neville can’t resist a dig at Arsenal fans after Gabriel’s goal, referencing their complaints at the one they conceded at Newcastle when the Brazilian was allegedly fouled by Joelinton.

He did really get the jump above Richards by putting his arms on his shoulders, and it’s one that will generate debate.

What a header that was from Gabriel!

It’s been a brilliant start from Arsenal and only now are Crystal Palace finally able to get their foot on the ball.

But Arsenal press them well, before the ball goes all the way back to Henderson, who boots it into touch.

Arsenal look full of confidence here and they’re so close to being 2-0 up.

Another flowing move ends with Eze heading away White’s dangerous cross for a corner.

Saka floats in a dagnerous ball and Schlupp heads it away. But the ball hits Lerma and rebounds towards his own goal before hitting the bar, with Henderson gratefully collecting the loose ball.

Almost disaster for the visitors.

Exactly what they needed!

Rice floats in a delightful corner. Gabriel climbs above Richards brilliantly and heads expertly into the bottom corner, giving Henderson no chance.

That’s the Brazilian’s second league goal of the season and the Emirates erupts (while also breathing a sigh of relieft).

The Gunners have now scored the most set piece goals in the Premier League this season.

It looks like a large group of police were dealing with something in the away end ahead of kick off.

We’re not quite sure what quite happened, but we’ll let you know as soon as we have any information.

Positive play from Arsenal.

Havertz drives towards goal and almost gets on the end of Odegaard’s lofted through ball after an attempted one-two.

The ball bounces out to Jesus, who takes a touch, before firing over with his left foot under pressure.

Arsenal have started brightly here and look sharp, pinging the ball around in the early stages.

Crystal Palace are lining up with a back five with Richards alongside Andersen and Guehi in the centre and Clyne and Mitchell at wing-back.

Palace then float an early free kick into the Gunners’ box, but Andersen heads high and wide.

Crystal Palace’s Will Hughes gets us underway.

Paul Tierney is in charge of proceedings today.

Here we go…

It looks like a great atmosphere inside the Emirates.

With Jesus and Zinchenko back to fitness, Arsenal’s bench looks a lot stronger today too.

This promises to be a cracker!

Despite the seeming gloom and doom hanging over Arsenal after a difficult festive spell, things are really not that bad.

The Gunners will go within two points of Liverpool today if they win and with players coming back from injury, Mikel Arteta will hope his side have endured their dip.

Arsenal have also only lost once at home to Crystal Palace since 1994 and just twice ever in the Premier League so the history is with them today.

Here’s how the current top six looks.

While Jordan Henderson’s departure from Saudi Arabia has been the major story of the January transfer window, it’s been relatively quiet across the Premier League.

Arsenal continue to be linked with a move for a striker, but so far nothing has materialised.

In terms of outgoings, Emile Smith-Rowe, who has struggled to nail down a regular place across the past few seasons amid injury struggles, is one player who has slight uncertainty over his future.

However, Mail Sport reported on Friday how the Gunners have rebuffed several approaches for the 23-year-old.

Read KIERAN GILL’S full story below…

A fascinating take from Mikel Arteta at his pre-match press conference.

In fact, Arsenal have scored just once from 63 shots across their past three games.

You don’t need me to tell you that’s not a great conversion rate!

Read Arteta’s full words below…

Bukayo Saka has just been speaking to TNT Sports ahead of today’s clash.

He spoke about the benefits of the winter break and Arsenal’s position in the title race.

Here’s what he had to say:

Well, right now I’m quite relaxed (ahead of the game). But obviously, in an hour or so, you know, we do have a big game coming up. And yeah, we’ll be ready for it.

‘Yeah, I think it was really nice for us (to get away to Dubai). We took time in order to refresh, reconnect with the boys and come back in good spirits and really hungry to get three points.

‘Yeah, we’ve got to be ready for it (the title race). And I believe in my team, I believe we’ll be ready. You know, we know in this league, there’s not much room for error. We’re really focused especially today and in winning and building the momentum again for the next few games.’

It was right back at the start of the season and felt like a strong early marker from Arsenal.

Martin Odegaard put the Gunners ahead from the spot, before they held firm after Takehiro Tomiyasu was sent off for two bookable offences.

You can catch the highlights from that game below…

Although nothing is expected of Crystal Palace in a game like today, things aren’t great at Selhurst Park right now.

With injuries continuing to mount up, they’ve only won one of their past 11 games in all competitions.

Wednesday saw a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Everton in their FA Cup third round replay and Roy Hodgson has come under pressure from Palace fans.

While they sit 14th, they are only five points clear of the bottom three and Hodgson won’t want to be drawn in much closer to the drop zone.

It feels like a big month ahead of them.

Just the two changes for Crystal Palace, who remain badly-depleted by injury.

This includes no Michael Olise who is such a big miss for Roy Hodgson’s side.

Dean Henderson replaces Sam Johnstone in goal, while Jean-Philippe Mateta comes in for Odsonne Edouard up-front.

A real blow to Palace this season has been the fact that Olise and Eberechi Eze have only played together on three occasions.

Four changes for Arsenal from their 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool.

The big news is Gabriel Jesus is back and fit in a huge boost for the Gunners, while Oleksandr Zinchenko returns after a calf problem.

Leandro Trossard and David Raya also come in with Jakub Kiwior, Aaron Ramsdale, Reiss Nelson and Jorginho dropping out from the starting XI.

Speaking of Arsenal’s struggles, the Gunners have picked up just four points in their past five Premier League games.

After a stunning 4-3 comeback win over Luton at the beginning of December, which looked like the sort of thing champions do, they have lost ground in the title race.

Defeats to Aston Villa, West Ham and Fulham have been accompanied by a draw against Liverpool in the league and a victory against Brighton.

Arteta’s side are now fourth and five points behind Jurgen Klopp’s side in first.

Plenty for the Spaniard to have thought about over the past 13 days…

Mikel Arteta needs a big performance from his side today after three successive losses across competitions.

The Gunners’ most recent defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup was particularly galling given they dominated the first half and missed several gilt-edged chances, before the Reds drastically improved in the second half.

They have had 13 days off since that loss though and spent time in Dubai on a warm-weather training camp so you’d expect them to be well-rested today.

Team news is coming up in just over 10 minutes.

Well, despite just 10 teams playing over Saturday, Sunday and Monday, there are still plenty of talking points.

Ivan Toney is set to make his long-awaited return from an eight-month betting ban this evening when his struggling Brentford side host Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool travel to in-form Bournemouth tomorrow without Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, with the Egyptian rather worryingly picking up an injury on Thursday at AFCON.

There’s also the small matter of Arsenal hoping to get back on track after a dismal festive period this lunchtime against Crystal Palace, along with plenty of other talking points.

The full schedule is as follows:

SAT 12:30PM – Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

SAT 5:30PM – Brentford vs Nottingham Forest

SUN 2PM – Sheffield United vs West Ham

SUN 4:30PM – Bournemouth vs Liverpool

MON 7:45PM – Brighton vs Wolves

And welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage of Arsenal’s Premier League encounter against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.

Be sure to stay with us for all the build-up, team news and updates from the huge clash on Saturday lunchtime.