GABRIEL FLIES LIKE AN ANGEL

And Arteta needs more goals from defenders in trophy bid

- Harry PRATT

BACK to basics proved the answer to Arsenal’s goal drought. Mikel Arteta’s men went all old school and defender Gabriel was a matchwinner in attack. 

Nothing like a big centre-half to weigh in with some goals to keep a team’s title chances alive and kicking. It used to happen regularly but not so much in these purist, passing times.

Gabriel headed in the opener and was pivotal in the second, his effort flying in off Crystal Palace keeper Dean Henderson.

That, along with Leandro Trossard’s strike and a late double from sub-Gabriel Martinelli, secured a first league win in four for the Gunners, putting them two points behind leaders Liverpool who go to Bournemouth today.

That warm weather break in Dubai did the trick for the red-hot hosts but for Palace, five points off relegation, the bleak winter continues.

Arteta called for more goals from Arsenal’s defensive powerhouses and declared: “It’s so important we have more the goals like this, absolutely.