Bukayo Saka was a man on a mission as Premier League leaders Arsenal handed the managerless Crystal Palace a 4-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The 21-year-old forward scored two goals and provided another as the Gunners increased their lead at the top of the league standings to eight points.
Dominant.#ARSCRY pic.twitter.com/c0v4ToHEqI
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 19, 2023
Although Mikel Arteta’s men dictated the play from the start, it was Palace that almost broke the deadlock through Ivory Coast international Wilfried Zaha. However, the former Manchester United forward’s strike hit the post and ricocheted off Aaron Ramsdale for a corner kick.
The Gunners took the early warning seriously, and they kicked off their excellent performance with an emphatic left-footed finish from 21-year-old forward Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian received the ball inside the box after a brilliant low cross from Saka two minutes before the half-hour mark.
Saka extended Arsenal’s lead before the halftime break with a deft left-footed finish past Palace’s goalkeeper Joseph Whitworth after a nice one-two exchange with Ben White.
Much of the Eagles attacking threat came down the left from Zaha, with the Ivorian almost pulling one back for the away side, but his near-post effort was thwarted by Ramsdale. On the other end, the Gunners made it three through Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka. He played a quick one-two with Leandro Trossard before beating Palace’s goalie in his near post.
Ghanaian midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp handed the Eagles a lifeline with a strike in the 63rd minute following a corner kick from Michael Olise. Soon after, they came close to scoring again, but Zaha’s left-footed effort was inches wide of the goal.
Saka then got his second goal of the game and Arsenal’s fourth in the 74th minute with a sublime strike following a cutback from substitute Kieran Tierney.
10 – Bukayo Saka (10G 10A) is the first Arsenal player in double figures for both goals & assists in a Premier League season since Alexis Sánchez in 2016-17; indeed, he is the only player to have done so in the competition this season. Production. pic.twitter.com/eUj6JSej2b
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 19, 2023
The Three Lions forward now has 12 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League this season, becoming the first player with at least 10 goals and 10 assists this campaign and the first Arsenal player in double figures for both goals and assists in the league since Alexis Sánchez in the 2016-17 season.
The victory was Arsenal’s sixth in a row and their 22nd win in the Premier League this season, their most ever wins in the first 28 matches of a league campaign. They will welcome relegation-battling Leeds United to the Emirates on Saturday, April 1, when club football resumes after the upcoming international break.
