3 standout players from Arsenal's 5-1 win over Crystal Palace

Five goals before Christmas allowed Arsenal to flex muscle in the Premier League title race at the expense of Crystal Palace. Four of those goals came from the Gunners' trio of standout players on the day, a pair of Brazilians and a midfield talisman dominant off the bench.

Arsenal built on their 3-2 win over Palace in the Carabao Cup with an equally dramatic 5-1 triumph to earn three precious league points. Just like in the cup, Gabriel Jesus reasserted himself as Arsenal's best striker.

The frontman scored twice in the first half and saw his efforts supplemented by fellow South American Gabriel Martinelli. He's been in need of a reminder of his talents, something Martinelli delivered with a performance typified by industry, pace and quick deliveries.

His goal had an element of fortune, thanks to Rice's equally ruthless and laser-like focus in the final third. Rice helped salt away a win that should serve as a marker to Arsenal's title rivals.

Here were the three standout players from the Gunners' 5-1 victory away from home.

1. Gabriel Jesus

This was close to vintage stuff from Arsenal's No. 9. Jesus was alive in the box to produce two quick and clever finishes amid a melee in the area.

He took his goals well, like the kind of cool and natural finisher Arsenal have been searching for in recent months. The goals were just the start of an electric display from the leader of the forward line.

Buoyed by the confidence accrued from scoring five goals against the same opposition in a matter of days, Jesus showed off his signature mix of running power and impish flair. Both things combined when the 27-year-old brilliantly nutmegged Maxence Lacroix.

Jesus stayed active, alert and purposeful and was unlucky not to complete a hat-trick. At least his header off the inside of the bar fell kindly enough for Kai Havertz to score.

Having Jesus back among the goals again can power Arsenal's title challenge in the second half of the season. So can the re-emergence of another key forward.

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