Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

You just get the feeling that this will be about how many goals Arsenal want to score rather than Palace getting back into the game.

Goal difference could be a factor come the end of the season.

When will Mikel Arteta stat to consider some changes? This game is won now, surely.

Alex Howell
Football reporter at Emirates Stadium

The Arsenal supporters chant Patrick Vieira’s name at the Crystal Palace fans. Vieira who was sacked this week is still a club legend here.

Leandro Trossard goes down holding his facer after a challenge from James Tomkins. It's because of a hand to his jaw. It earns the Palace defender a yellow card.

Mikel Arteta is still running around in his technical area, pointing and shouting. It's a show all of its own.

Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's a tight on initially with the offside so it will be checked but Xhaka starts the move and finishes it. He gets the other side of Tomkins.

Brilliant movement, just positioning of Xhaka, he is almost like a centre forward. He doesn't stand still and he continues his run and gets a bit of luck with the finish.

Image source, Getty Images

And now the Arsenal songs for Patrick Vieira come back.

Palace enjoying a little moment here.

They win a corner but make nothing from it as Ben White heads away at the near post. It all feels very soft and aimless when they go forward.

Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Never a penalty, Zaha could have just swung the left boot and got a shot away.

Arsenal do well and just crowd him out but definitely not a penalty. Well timed challenge from Saka.

Image source, Getty Images

Wilfried Zaha tries to cook something up for Palace by weaving into the Arsenal box. He goes down after a challenge from Bukayo Saka but he won't be getting a penalty for it.

Finally, Palace get hold of the ball for a bit. They're not going anywhere with it, though.

Arsenal have come out swinging. Palace are having to dig in.

Nearly 3-0.

Bukayo Saka beats Tyrick Mitchell and fires in a low cross that Joel Ward is well placed to clear.

Palace have now gone four and a half games without a goal. They're staring at a 12th game without a win. They have no permanent manager. It's a mess.

Back under way.

All eyes on what Palace might be able to do to make a contest of this. If they can't this could be a long 45 minutes for the visitors.

Arsenal have a record of W12, D1, L0 when leading at half-time in the Premier League this season.

The Gunners are also are unbeaten in their last 20 top-flight matches when leading at half-time (W19, D1) dating back to 1st January 2022 against Manchester City (L1-2).

Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Arteta would have demanded a reaction from his players after the defeat on Thursday in the the Europa League and that's exactly what he got.

Palace had the best chance of the game and it was an excellent save form Ramsdale from Zaha's shot.

Once Arsenal got their fluidity and passing going and start purring like that, they are a very difficult team to stop.

Very difficult to see Crystal Palace getting back into this game.

Ben White was indeed excellent in that half. A constant threat to Palace down Arsenal's right, working in perfect tandem with Bukayo Saka.