Arsenal etched their name into English football history with a commanding 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, becoming the first top-division team to score five or more goals in six different away matches during a single calendar year across all competitions.
Mikel Arteta’s side demonstrated their attacking prowess once again as Gabriel Jesus continued his remarkable form against Palace, following up his midweek Carabao Cup hat-trick with an early double that set the tone for another dominant display. The Brazilian striker’s clinical finishing highlighted Arsenal’s growing confidence in front of goal, particularly away from home.
Palace briefly threatened to derail Arsenal’s momentum when Ismaila Sarr equalized, but the Gunners’ response was swift and decisive. Kai Havertz restored their advantage before halftime, showcasing the German international’s increasing influence in Arsenal’s attacking setup. The second half saw Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice add their names to the scoresheet, completing another five-star performance on the road.
This historic achievement caps off a remarkable year of away performances for Arsenal, with their previous high-scoring victories including a 5-1 triumph against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League and a 5-2 win over West Ham United in the Premier League. The Gunners’ attacking excellence reached new heights with 6-0 demolitions of both West Ham and Sheffield United, while Burnley also succumbed to a five-goal onslaught at Turf Moor.
The significance of this record extends beyond mere statistics, reflecting the evolution of Arteta’s tactical approach and his team’s growing maturity. Arsenal’s ability to maintain such devastating attacking form away from home, traditionally considered more challenging in English football, demonstrates their development into genuine title contenders.
Saturday’s victory carried particular importance as it helped Arsenal bounce back from two consecutive league draws, maintaining their momentum in what promises to be a tightly contested title race. The timing of this record-breaking performance, coming in their final away fixture of 2024, provides a fitting conclusion to a year marked by offensive excellence.
The impressive goal-scoring record also highlights the depth and versatility of Arsenal’s attacking options. Throughout these high-scoring away victories, different players have stepped up to contribute, from Jesus’s clinical finishing to Martinelli’s dynamic wing play and Rice’s midfield authority. This spread of goalscoring responsibility makes Arsenal particularly difficult to defend against and suggests their attacking threat will continue into 2025.
Looking ahead, Arsenal’s immediate focus shifts to their home fixture against Ipswich Town on December 27, before they begin their 2025 away campaign with a challenging trip to Brentford on New Year’s Day. The question now becomes whether they can maintain this remarkable scoring form as they push for major honors across multiple competitions.
The achievement also represents a significant milestone in Arteta’s project at Arsenal. Since taking charge, the Spanish manager has gradually transformed the team’s style and mentality, particularly in away fixtures where they previously struggled to impose themselves. This record serves as tangible evidence of that progression and validates his tactical approach.
For Crystal Palace, despite Sarr’s goal offering brief hope, the defeat exemplifies the growing gap between themselves and the Premier League’s elite. The Eagles’ defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed by Arsenal’s fluid attacking movement and clinical finishing, providing manager Roy Hodgson with clear areas for improvement as they look to secure their top-flight status.
This record-breaking performance not only cements Arsenal’s place in English football history but also sends a clear message to their rivals about their title credentials. As they enter 2025, the challenge will be to maintain these high standards and convert their attacking excellence into tangible success in their pursuit of major trophies.
