Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal PLAYER RATINGS: Whose finish oozed class? Which reliable star had a rare off game? Who immediately added stability for the Gunners?

Gabriel Jesus scored twice as Arsenal earned a second victory over Crystal Palace in a week, with the 5-1 win moving the Gunners three points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Jesus had ended his goal drought by scoring a hat-trick against the Eagles in the Carabao Cup in midweek and built on the display at Selhurst Park.

The Brazilian forward struck twice in the first half – either side of an equaliser by Ismaila Sarr – to have a remarkable run of five goals in 50 minutes against Crystal Palace this week.

Kai Havertz extended Arsenal’s lead with a close range finish before half-time, before Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice struck in the second half to complete a dominant victory.

Mail Sport’s Issan Khan was at Selhurst Park and delivers his verdict on the players on show.

Ismaila Sarr, right, had cancelled out Jesus’ early opener but the Gunners quickly hit back

Gabriel Martinelli, left, and Declan Rice, right, were on target for Arsenal in the second half

ARSENAL (4-3-3):

DAVID RAYA: 7

Some jittery moments in net but made crucial saves. Denied Jean-Phillipe Mateta from close range one-on-one after 21 minutes. Also a good save off an Ismaila Sarr header.

JURRIEN TIMBER: 7

Top play on the ball and some good tackles, too. Booked for time-wasting at a throw-in.

WILLIAM SALIBA: 5.5

An off game for the usually reliable Frenchman. His errant pass to allow Mateta in should have resulted in conceding a goal.

GABRIEL: 6.5

Struck crossbar with a header. Didn’t shy away from battling with Palace’s physicality.

Jurrien Timber was excellent on the ball for Arsenal and put in several impressive challenges

William Saliba, right, had a rare off game and an errant pass could have resulted in a goal

MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY: 6.5

An assured display. Comfortable on the ball and physical in duels.

THOMAS PARTEY: 6

A couple of poor passes in the middle. Got better later in the game.

MARTIN ODEGAARD: 7

Good intricate passes around the box and often opened up play for his side. Classy operator.

KAI HAVERTZ: 6.5

Played in the midfield — an area he has not played in for a while. Got on the scoresheet with a tap-in.

BUKAYO SAKA: 6.5

Cross with weaker foot led to Gabriel Jesus’ opening goal. He went down the tunnel on 24 minutes with an injury which looked painful. This will be a major concern for Arteta.

Bukayo Saka was forced off in the first half, which will be a major concern for Arsenal

Kai Havertz scored from close range before half-time to give Mikel Arteta’s side a cushion

Jesus scored five goals in 50 minutes against Crystal Palace across two matches this week

GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 6.5

Was more courageous on the ball than in recent times. Tried to take players on and got an easy goal after Jesus’ shot was saved.

GABRIEL JESUS: 8.5

Match-winning display. His second goal oozed class, curling the ball into the top right corner. Should have got his hat-trick, but his shot was saved on 60 minutes.

MANAGER 

MIKEL ARTETA: 7

Played Jesus up top, Havertz in the midfield and started Lewis-Skelly. That was risky, but it more than paid off.

SUBSTITUTES

LEANDRO TROSSARD: 6

Good movement. Could have done with better end product.

RICCARDO CALAFIORI: 6

Stayed composed at the back to ensure Palace couldn’t make in-roads on his side.

DECLAN RICE: 7.5

Immediately added stability to the middle. Struck a well-taken goal, too.

ETHAN NWANERI: N/A

MIKEL MERINO: N/A

CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-2-1): Henderson, Clyne, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes, Kamada, Sarr, Mateta

Mikel Arteta made some risky selections but the Arsenal manager’s choices paid off

Declan Rice added stability to Arsenal and the midfielder struck a well-taken goal too