Player Ratings: Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal routed a desperately underwhelming Crystal Palace team 5-0 at the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime. 

An early goal from the Gunners defender Gabriel, followed by a Dean Henderson own that really should have been given to the Brazil centre-back put the home side in control at the break.

Worse was to come for Roy Hodgson's dismal side when Leandro Trossard fired past the increasingly beleagured Henderson after a sweeping move started by David Raya and saw Gabriel Jesus play in the Belgian with a superb through ball for 3-0. 

As the clock ticked down there was still time for substitute Gabi Martinelli to add a couple of late strikes to seal an emphatic victory that moved Arsenal back up to third spot. 

Player Ratings:

David Raya: 7.5/10 - A first half microcosm encapsulated the David Raya conundrum. For you could applaud Raya for his save from Jefferson Lerma - but equally you can criticise the former Brentford shotstopper for his poor distribution in giving the ball away moments earlier. A clean sheet and effective distribution to send Gabriel Jesus into space to sweep upfield for Trossard's goal

Ben White: 7/10 - Solid and reliable - but then again Palace were extremely poor and you must wonder for the future of Eagles' venerable boss Roy Hodgson

Gabriel: 8/10 - Should have been given two goals by the officials as his efforts that sent the ball into the net via Henderson's failed attempt to prevent the incursion really should have been credited to the Brazil defender. As it was, the solid Gunners centre-back left the pitch to applause when Arteta replaced him with Jakub Kiwior with 10 minutes to go - and a goal to his name following his important 11th minute goal that settled any early Gunners nerves

William Saliba: 7.5/10 - A class act who was rarely troubled by the Palace attack

Oleksandr Zinchenko: 7.5/10 - His best game in a while albeit against a desperately toothless Palace side

Martin Odegaard: 7.5/10 - Purred as Arsenal fired 

Declan Rice: 8/10 - Simply outstanding when carrying out his defensive duties. Fully deserved his hearty standing ovation when he was replaced by Jorginho midway through the second half with the game won at 3-0

Kai Havertz: 

Bukayo Saka: 7.5/10 - Refreshed after his short break in Dubai with the team - as evidenced by his corner that led to Henderson's own goal for 2-0

Gabriel Jesus: 7/10 - A lively performance sealed with an assist for Trossard to make it 3-0. You feel the Brazil attacker still needs to score a few goals to fully convince - but with no new signings imminent the former City striker simply has to get on the scoresheet over the coming weeks and months on a consistent basis if Arsenal are to fully challenge for silverware come May

Leandro Trossard: 7.5/10 - A splendid finish by the Belgian attacker after cutting inside to beat his man No17 Nathaniel Clyne before firing past Dean Henderson in the Palace goal. Showed excellent quality to latch onto Gabriel Jesus' through ball with plenty of work still to do

Substitutions

Gabriel Martinelli: 8.5/10 (Trossard 69') two excellent late strikes helpe seal an emphatic victory while making a point or two to Arteta after he was benched in favour of Trossard

Emile Smith Rowe: 7/10 (Havertz 69') - Received an excellent reception when coming on for Havertaz. Looked lively 

Jorginho (Rice 73') 7/10 - Swapped for Rice with the game won and helped setup Arsenal's fifth

Eddie Nketiah (Jesus 81') N/A

Jakub Kiwior (Gabriel 81') N/A

Subs not used: Ramsdale, Kiwior, Cedric, Walters, Nelson, Nketiah