Declan Rice matched Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s six-year record in Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace

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Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 5-1 in the Premier League to pick up a crucial three points.

The Gunners silenced their critics by netting five at Selhurst Park, seeing Gabriel Jesus score a brace after his midweek hat-trick.

Mikel Arteta will be delighted by the attacking ruthlessness his side showcased in south London, in what was so nearly a five-star display.

The win meant that Arsenal are unbeaten in London derbies in 2024, matching a record set by Jose Mourinho 19 years ago.

• READ MORE: Gabriel Jesus shines again as duo both get 3/10 – Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace

Declan Rice matches 2018 record in Arsenal win vs Crystal Palace

It was a night for records to be matched and extended, as Jesus’ win rate in the Premier League when scoring continued.

While the Brazilian earned the headlines once again for his unstoppable form in front of goal, he wasn’t the only Arsenal player to make waves in the final third.

Declan Rice missed out in the EFL Cup due to injury, but the midfielder returned to the action as a substitute at Selhurst Park.

Coming off the bench in the 58th minute, it took Rice only two minutes to contribute to a goal, setting up Gabriel Martinelli’s effort. 

Six minutes from time, the Englishman scored himself with a tidy strike, which saw him match an Arsenal record that has stood for six years.

For the first time since October 2018, an Arsenal player scored and assisted from the bench in a Premier League away game, with Rice matching Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Aaron Ramsey’s record.

The former Gunners scored and assisted from the bench against Fulham in the 2018/19 campaign, seeing Rice follow in their footsteps.

Rice’s statement performance against Crystal Palace

After missing out in midweek against Palace, Rice made up for his absence with his superb cameo off the bench on Saturday evening.

The midfielder not only scored and assisted, but was an all-round solid performer, showing just how integral he is to Arteta’s project.

Arteta urged Rice to be more attacking when the former West Ham captain made the move to the Emirates, and he’s certainly delivering on that front.

Proving that he’s got an eye for goal and most importantly, is fully fit, Rice has a crucial part to play in Arsenal’s hope of reaching Premier League glory.