Alex Iwobi on target in Arsenal thumping victory

Arsenal began life without Chile forward Alexis Sanchez in style courtesy of a stirring 4-1 drubbing of Crystal Palace that saw all four goals scored inside the first 22 minutes.

With Sanchez's move to Manchester United apparently imminent after a weekend medical, Arsene Wenger's side set about soothing the concerns of the home fans in style by putting Palace to the sword with a blistering start.
Nacho Monreal, on his return from a month long lay-off, gave his side an early advantage and with not even 15 minutes on the clock the full-back had also grabbed two assists, after setting up Alex Iwobi and Laurent Koscielny, before having to limp off with an ankle injury. Alexandre Lacazette then scored Arsenal’s fourth to end his nine-game goal-drought.

Arsenal took their foot off the gas after the restart and Palace netted a consolation through Luka Milivojevic on 78 minutes, but the day belonged to the home side's free-flowing football.

The win is Arsenal's first in 2018 and keeps them in sixth.

They cut the gap on Tottenham in fifth place to two points before Spurs visit Southampton on Sunday, while Palace drop to 13th.