Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace

Memo to the Crystal Palace board: Changing your manager doesn't make a trip to the Premier League leaders any less daunting.

Goals from Gabi Martinelli, Bukayo Saka (2) and Granit Xhaka sealed victory for the Gunners, with Jeffrey Schlupp grabbing a consolation for the visitors.

By winning nine of their ten London derbies this season, including Sunday’s triumph over faltering Palace, the Gunners eased to a remarkable eight points clear of second place Manchester City

Paddy McCarthy took Palace to North London on Sunday, after Eagles chairman Steve Parish sacked Arsenal Invincible Patrick Vieira on Friday, following a poor run of form that left them winless in 2023.

Kudos must go to raw 19-year-old Joe Whitworth, who continued between the sticks for Palace despite enduring a chastening afternoon, after his debut in the 1-0 defeat at the hands of rivals Brighton on Monday evening.

It was no wonder the majority of the crowd, which included plenty of pyro in the Palace end prior to kick-off, were not to be disappointed with an open game, that saw irrepressible Arsenal go 1-0 ahead on 28 minutes through Martinelli.

Saka then doubled the lead as Arsenal dominated proceedings, firing home past Whitworth, as Saka made it 2-0 with aplomb on 43 minutes.

Xhaka made it 3-0 ten minutes after the break, prior to Schlupp scoring for 3-1 on 63 minutes, before Saka grabbed his second, as Mikel Arteta's in-form side made it six victories on the bounce in the league.

As for Palace, while they remain in 12th place, they are only three points off the dreaded drop.

Let’s hope for their sake their decision to dispense of Vieira’s services doesn’t culminate in relegation.

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