The Gunners headed into the game knowing a win would be huge for their title chances.
Arsenal had a five-point lead over Manchester City before Sunday, but with the Sky Blues in FA Cup action this weekend, Mikel Arteta and co. could have headed into the international break with an eight-point lead.
And when all was said and done, Arsenal came away with a comfortable win.
Arsenal started the tie off well, with Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka both having decent chances in the opening 20 minutes. Aaron Ramsdale also pulled off a good save 16 minutes in.
Palace continued to test Arsenal in the first half, hitting them with several dangerous counters.
However, Arsenal were able to take the lead after 28 minutes when Saka’s cross found Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian still had some work to do but was able to get a shot off and put the hosts in front.
Arsenal continued to dominate into the second half with Granit Xhaka adding a third after 55 minutes to kill the game off.
Jeffrey Schlup pulled one back 61 minutes in but it still seemed to be too little, too late.
Saka got the final goal of the game, restoring Arsenal’s three-goal lead after 74 minutes.
Player ratings
Arsenal
- GK: Aaron Ramsdale (6.5)
- RB: Ben White (7.5)
- CB: Rob Holding (7)
- CB: Gabriel (7)
- LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko (7)
- CDM: Thomas Partey (7)
- CDM: Granit Xhaka (7.5)
- CAM: Martin Odegaard (7)
- RW: Bukayo Saka (8.5)
- ST: Leandro Trossard (6.5)
- LW: Gabriel Martinelli (7.5)
Substitutes
- Gabriel Jesus (5)
- Kieran Tierney (5)
- Jorginho (N/A)
- Emile Smith Rowe (N/A)
- Jakub Kiwior (N/A)
Crystal Palace
- GK: Joe Whitworth (4)
- RB: Joel Ward (5)
- CB: James Tomkins (4.5)
- CB: Marc Guehi (5)
- LB: Tyrick Mitchell (4)
- CDM: Luka Milivojevic (5.5)
- CDM: Cheick Doucoure (5.5)
- CAM: Jeffrey Schlupp (5.5)
- RW: Michael Olise (5
- ST: Odsonne Edouard (4.5)
- LW: Wilfried Zaha (5)
Substitutes
- Will Hughes (4)
- Jordan Ayew (4)
- Eberecnhi Eze (N/A)
- Naouirou Ahamada (N/A)
Match report
Saka spun Mitchell for 19 minutes & he made him pull something.
— ARTETA’S REVENGE (@jeffrey_dalyop_) March 19, 2023
Saka looks tired
— Don Quixote Ahmed 🌐 (@Ahmedmaq00) March 19, 2023
⚠️ | QUICK STAT
Players with 10+ ⚽️ and 10+ 🅰️ in the top 5 leagues this season:
• Neymar (13/11)
• Lionel Messi (13/13)
• Randal Kolo Muani (11/10)
🆕 Bukayo Saka (10/10)First Arsenal player with a 10/10 league season since Alexis Sánchez (24/10) in 2016/17. 🙌#ARSCRY pic.twitter.com/UI8l68oOQp
— Sofascore (@SofascoreINT) March 19, 2023
🔥 Arsenal’s top Premier League goalscorer keeps on scoring!
13 league goals for the season and 6️⃣ goals in 6️⃣ Premier League appearances for Gabriel Martinelli.#BBCFootball #ARSCRY pic.twitter.com/5bFlhFTfNm
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 19, 2023
Only Kevin de Bruyne (12) has more goal assists in the Premier League this season than Bukayo Saka (10)#ARSCRY
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) March 19, 2023
Bukayo Saka now has many Premier League goal assists for Arsenal as Alexandre Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez (25).#ARSCRY
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) March 19, 2023
There is only one player who has reached double figures for both goals and assists in the Premier League this season…
Bukayo Saka.
[@OptaJoe] pic.twitter.com/StSacygWQd
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 19, 2023
Leandro Trossard has six goal assists in his last five Premier League appearances for the Gunners#ARSCRY
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) March 19, 2023
