Review

Saka stars as Arsenal move eight points clear of Man City

19 Mar 2023

Winger breaks club record in 4-1 derby win over Crystal Palace

Bukayo Saka made Arsenal history as his side moved eight points clear of title rivals Manchester City with a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Following Palace's dismissal of Patrick Vieira on Friday, Paddy McCarthy's first-team selection was hampered when Joachim Andersen withdrew injured in the warm-up.

ARS

4-1

CRY

Arsenal were also forced to make a change in defence, with William Saliba replaced by Rob Holding.

Palace came close to an opener when Wilfried Zaha's 11th-minute shot hit a post.

Gabriel Martinelli then converted a Saka cross for his sixth goal in as many matches, before Saka doubled Arsenal's advantage just before the break.

Granit Xhaka added a third from Leandro Trossard's pass 10 minutes after half-time, before Jeffrey Schlupp reduced the deficit on 63 minutes, with Palace's first league goal since February.

However, Saka added his second of the afternoon, firing in from Kieran Tierney's pull-back in the 74th minute.

At just 21 years of age, he is the youngest player to reach double figures for goals and assists in a single season, beating Cesc Fabregas's club record of 22 years old from 2009/10.

Arsenal's win was their sixth straight top-flight success, while they also became the first side in Premier League history to win nine London derbies in a single season.

Palace, who are without a victory in 2023, remain 12th, three points clear of third-bottom West Ham United, having played two matches more.