FA PREMIER LEAGUE 

ARSENAL 4 (Martinelli 28, Saka 43 74, Xhaka 56)

PALACE  1 (Schlupp 65)

ERLING Haaland can net as many hattricks as he likes – as long as the Gunners keep up this kind of form, and can keep Bukayo Saka fit, it will all be academic.

The Emirates witnessed another relentless attacking performance this afternoon capped by an exceptional display from Arsenal’s main man.

He made his two goals look so easy.

Leandro Trossard put in another lively performance and looks good to start ahead of returning Jesus, who looks like he is still struggling for confidence in front of goal.

The Arsenal number 9 has not scored since the 3-1 win against Spurs in late September – and it seems like he is trying almost too hard to overcome his drought demons.

Like Martin Odegaard, Trossard brings a lot and is lively like a box of frogs all over the park – he gets the team driving forward again during any lulls in play.

Rob Holding, in for injured Will Saliba after the Europa exit, had a decent game although the managerless Palace looked like strong candidates for relegation.

Gabriel Martinelli opened the rout after taking down a ball whipped across the face with his right, moving past the defender and burying in the far corner with his left.

It was a deadly goal from the left winger who is in top form with ten games to go.

Ben White once again provided the killer pass to Bukayo Saka for the second that was effectively walked in.

Saka stroked the ball past goalie Joseph Whitworth to make it 2-0 jut before half time.

The reborn Granit Xhaka made it three, digging out his shot after a well timed one-two with Trossard cut through the Palace back line.

Arsenal were in total control and the visitors looked dead and buried.

But Jeff Schlupp got one back from a corner that should have been cleared – and there was a short spell where Arsenal looked like they could concede a second.

But Saka – Mr Reliable – thumped in a fourth from a Kiernan Tierney cut back.

It looked so easy, but it was an executioner’s finish that many other players would have skied high or wide.

The Gunners had dominated the opening exchanges but there were a few warning signs.

Wilf Zaha hit the post with shot that was finger-tip saved by Aaron Ramsdale – and Edouard missed a golden chance one-on-one that was only just off side.

Zaha also took a tumble in the box in a decent shout for a pen, and then minutes later struck a fierce shot at Ramsdale

There was a slightly sleepy feel to the first 20 minutes, but Trossard seemed to shake the side up and bring most urgency to the play.

White hit some superb passes into Saka and Odegaard, who was up to his usual tricks spreading play and keeping the ball moving.

Arsenal ended the match in total control against a woeful Palace side that did not appear to have any ‘bounce’ from sacking the Arsenal legend Pat Vieira.

Fans enjoyed singing the old “he comes from Senegal song” with the game dead and buried.

They can enjoy the international break with daylight still to City in second place with the Gunners next league game against Leeds on April 1 – the first of a crunch one game a week schedule.

Arsenal: Ramsdale, White (Jorginho 80), Gabriel (Kiwior 84), Holding, Zinchenko (Tierney 65), Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Trossard (Jesus 65), Saka, Martinelli (Smith Rowe 80).
Subs not used: Turner, Kiwor, Vieira, Nelson, Walters.

Palace: Whitworth, Ward, Mitchell, Millvojevic (Hughes 65), Guehi, Olise (Eze 80), Zaha, Schlupp (Ahamanda 82), Tomkins, Edouard (Ayew 65), Doucoure.
Subs not used: Goodman, Mateta, Clyne, Richards, #

Ref: Stuart Atwell

Attendance: 60,035