Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace:

It was 115 years since Arsenal lost three consecutive home matches in all competitions without scoring - and Mikel Arteta's under fire Gunners started like a team that were very much trying to avoid that staggering statistic.

With only four points earned from the last 15 on offer, hopes had been fading of Arteta's side maintaining a challenge for the title.

Yet Gabriel rose highest to put the home side 1-0 ahead after 11 minutes after Arsenal's Brazil centre-back emphatically connected with Declan Rice's corner.

The goal certainly helping to banish early nerves as well as memories of the underwhelming defeat at home to West Ham in the league and Liverpool in the FA Cup, sandwiched of course by an inexplicably poor performance during the 2-1 loss at Fulham on New Year's Eve.

Never can a midwinter break have been so needed for Arteta's beleaguered side - who not only escaped their poor form for a working jaunt to Dubai, but also last week's bitterly cold weather.

Gabriel had the chance to double the lead on 22 minutes, but his header flew wide of Dean Henderson's left hand post.

It was David Raya's turn to make a save, palming the ball away from Jefferson Lerma's shot.

However, there in a microcosm was displayed David Raya conundrum.

For you could applaud Raya for the save from Palace's No8 Lerma - yet equally, you can criticise the former Brentford keeper for poor distribution in giving the ball away moments earlier.

As Arteta's side kept up the pressure, Gabriel thought he had nodded home for his second to double the Gunners lead on 37 minutes, before it was eventually given as an own goal by Eagles keeper Henderson.

Palace's keeper, it must be said, made a dreadful hash of attempting to clear Bukayo Saka's corner as Gabriel steered the ball into the net via the former Manchester United keeper for 2-0.

Arsenal made the game safe following a sweeping move upfield by Jesus, to feed Leandro Trossard, who cut inside his man No17 Nathaniel Clyne and fire past Henderson for 3-0 on 59 minutes.

Job done. And even VAR was satisfied - and that was before two late strikes from Gabi Martinelli who finished both efforts with aplomb so send the home support home happy - and banish any thoughts of mirroring 1908's miserable run.