Gabriel Jesus was the bane of Crystal Palace for the second time in four days as his opening double paved the way for Arsenal’s commanding victory at Selhurst Park.

Jesus scored a hat-trick when the sides met in midweek, Arsenal won the EFL Cup quarter-final 3-2 at the Emirates, and he scored twice in the opening 14 minutes here as the Gunners closed to within three points of leaders Liverpool. The Merseysiders have two games in hand.

Ismaila Sarr canceled out Jesus’ opener but the former Manchester City man quickly struck again and further goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice sealed an emphatic victory.

Arsenal record their biggest win of the season! 👊🔴#criers | #FestiveFixtures pic.twitter.com/b2KrMokxJg

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 21, 2024

The only negative on a night full of positives for Mikel Arteta was a first-half injury to Bukayo Saka that could restrict his availability over the festive period.

Jesus had not scored in the league since January but, full of confidence after his exploits on Wednesday night, opened his account six minutes later.

Saka’s cross from the right was not cleared and fell to Jesus at the far post and he reacted well to fire a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Palace leveled after 11 minutes with a lovely sweeping move forward from behind.

Tyreek Mitchell led the charge, sliding the ball in and taking advantage of loose defending from William Saliba to run unchallenged into the box and curl a beautiful shot past David Raya’s left hand.

Palace were level for just three minutes, however, as Arsenal scored again from a corner.

A left-wing delivery couldn’t be cleared and, after Thomas Partey showed plenty of composure to get the ball down and pick out Jesus lurking inside the area, the Brazil international coolly slotted into the top right corner.

Gabriel Jesus loves to score against Crystal Palace 🤯

Five goals in a week against The Eagles 💥 pic.twitter.com/Y7mDDmj7nG

– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 21, 2024

The game showed no signs of slowing down and Palace should have leveled again after 20 minutes after more loose play from Saliba.

The France international was dispossessed by Saar and played in Jean-Philippe Mateta but Rai was out quickly to block the shot.

Saka limped off after 24 minutes which would have been a concern for Arteta but did not disrupt his side’s attacking flow.

Jesus was denied by a great tackle from Maxence Lacroix and from the resulting corner, Gabriel drove a header over the bar. The danger wasn’t over for the home side and, allowing Arsenal to retain possession, Martinelli’s cross from the right was met by Jesus at the left-hand post but Havertz was on hand to bundle the ball over the line.

Gabriel Jesus denied a hat-trick by the post 👀

Kai Havertz loves rebounds 🙌 pic.twitter.com/jtpQlpAZOa

– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 21, 2024

Palace came out firing after the break and fine goalkeeping from Raya just two minutes later prevented them from halving the deficit. First he got down well to keep out Sarna’s header and then produced a brilliant double save to deny Matea from long range and Sarna was kept somewhat under control.

After introducing Rice and Ricardo Calafiori from the bench, Arsenal secured the points on the hour mark.

Rice’s first touch was to fire in a shot on goal after Jesus was again denied a hat-trick by the legs of Henderson and Martinelli was on hand to turn it away.

England midfielder Rice got his name on the scoresheet six minutes from time when he curled a shot past Henderson and into the bottom right corner.

It was a statement win from Arsenal, who host struggling Ipswich on Friday.