Arsenal Beat Crystal Palace, Leave Manchester City Eight Points Behind in EPL

London, 20 Mar (ONA) —- Arsenal responded to their Europa League exit at the hands of Sporting CP in front of their own fans and comfortably beat Crystal Palace 4-1 in the English Premier League (EPL).

Bukayo Saka netted twice whilst Gabriel Martinelli and Granit Xhaka also scored to put the Londoners eight points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the EPL table with a game in hand, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported.

The Europa League elimination seemed to take its toll early on as Crystal Palace came close to taking the lead when Wilfried Zaha's right-footed shot was first touched by Aaron Ramsdale and then hit the post.

Mikel Arteta's side shook off their early lethargy and began to generate danger.

On the half-hour mark, Ben White won the ball back in the opposition half and played in Saka, who crossed into the box and Martinelli controlled the ball to make it 1-0 with a left-footed shot that Joe Whitworth could not keep out.

The goal gave wings to the Gunners, who could have doubled their lead with two chances from Martin Odegaard that went wide.

The many attacks were rewarded in the 43rd minute, when White played a pass that left Saka alone in front of Whitworth. The winger made no mistake and scored the second before the break.

The second half began with Palace subjected to Arsenal's fast-paced play.

In the 55th minute, Xhaka received the ball near the box, combined with Leandro Trossard and did not waste the Belgian's pass to make it 3-0.

The Emirates party was momentarily interrupted by Jeffrey Schlupp, who collected the rebound from a corner to bring Crystal Palace back into the game.

Saka soon sealed the points though as he received a pass from Kieran Tierney and his left-footed shot could not be stopped.

That makes it 13 goals for the Englishman this season, his best individual record to date.

—- Ends/Khalid