Arsenal thrash Crystal Palace to ease back to winning ways

Arsenal breathed new life into their Premier League title challenge as a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace got the Gunners back to winning ways.

Arsenal breathed new life into their Premier League title challenge as a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace got the Gunners back to winning ways.

Centre-back Gabriel did most of the damage before half-time as he headed in the opener then forced Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson into an own goal.

Leandro Trossard made it 3-0 on the hour mark before substitute Gabriel Martinelli struck twice in stoppage time.

Victory moves Mikel Arteta's men level with Manchester City and Aston Villa, two points behind leaders Liverpool.

"We wanted to start the second part of the season with a great performance, with a great result, and build that positivity and momentum again," said Arteta. "I think the boys did a good job today."

Arsenal had won just once in seven games prior to a two-week winter break.

However, a warm weather training camp in Dubai looked to have refreshed last season's runners-up, even if they did have very obliging visitors in struggling Palace.