Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace: 5 talking points

Life without Alexis Sánchez started brilliantly for Arsenal, as they comfortably brushed aside a formidable Crystal Palace side at the Emirates, beating them 4-1.

Nacho Monreal opened the scoring with a header, before he set up both Alex Iwobi and Laurent Koscielny for close-range finishes to give the Gunners a three goal cushion after just 13 minutes.

Then, in the 22nd minute it was four as Mesut Özil's delightful flick help set up Alexandre Lacazette as he ended his eight-match Premier League goal drought in style.

The match then petered out in the second-half, but Palace grabbed a late consolation goal through Luka Milivojevic.

Here are five talking points from Arsenal's comfortable win:

5) Palace's worst performance under Hodgson

Hodgson looks on as his side are resoundingly defeated by the Gunners

There's no doubt about it, Roy Hodgson has done wonders at Crystal Palace - this is only his seventh Premier League loss. However, his side have not been on the wrong side of a drubbing for a long time.

After just 22 minutes the game was already out of sight for the Eagles, and it must have been embarrassing to watch for both him and Palace fans alike.

The defence fell apart, conceding two from set-pieces and both of them being scored or assisted by Monreal - who was one of the smallest on the pitch. In addition, they were carved open defensively on a number of occasions by some beautiful Arsenal play - which led to a fantastic goal typical of the Arsenal style through Lacazette's well-taken finish.

It was a disastrous performance from the backline as Özil ran them ragged. Jack Wilshere's passing combinations alongside the silky German ensured their midfield were regularly being pulled apart too, as the Englishman enjoyed dictating play whilst drifting past Yohan Cabaye, James McArthur and goalscorer Milivojevic.

With all of that in mind, there's no real reason for Palace fans to be concerned. They'll be hoping that it's just a minor blip in their campaign as they drift ever closer to safety after a forgettable start to the 2017/18 season.

4) Underrated Monreal makes the difference

Monreal celebrates scoring the opener

Nacho Monreal today returned to the Arsenal starting line-up after missing the last four games through injury and unsurprisingly, the Spaniard came up with the goods for the Gunners.

Defensively, the left-back offered some more reassurance than they have recently had, playing young Ainsley Maitland-Niles out of position there - as well as a more attack-minded figure in Sead Kolasinac.

However, he more importantly helped the hosts get off to a much-needed fast start with a goal and two assists. Recently they have struggled to score many but the fullback offered width in a rather narrow formation, while taking full advantage of the fact that Wilfried Zaha was reluctant to track back.

He trudged off down the tunnel late in the first-half after signalling for a substitution, which Arsenal fans will be hoping was purely a precautionary measure after sustaining a knock he could not run off.

However, his job was already done by this point. Arsenal had a four-goal cushion and he was instrumental in three of their goals. In his last nine matches, Arsenal had kept five clean sheets. Without him in their last four Premier League fixtures, they have failed to keep any and conceded two in three of those too.

Monreal is an important figure and has been for a long time now - it's time for football fans to realise just how good the Spaniard is.

3) Is top four still a possibility for the Gunners?

Could Wenger pull off the most miraculous league finish he's ever had?

If they can perform like they did today, while bringing in both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, then the answer is yes.

However, Arsenal have shown promising signs at times this season but equally coupled it with some dreadful results too. Not only that but this 4-1 victory today came at home, while the Gunners themselves have struggled immensely for away form in recent months.

They only have three victories away from the Emirates this term, which is undoubtedly where they need to improve if they are to chase down a top-four position.

It does not just rely on themselves, either. Liverpool need to slip up and drop points, while Tottenham also need to continue their inconsistent form over the coming months with both sides set to be occupied by UEFA Champions League knockout fixtures next month.

If Mkhitaryan can develop a strong relationship with Özil and Aubameyang - transfer permitting - can perform well from the offset, there's no reason why the Gunners cannot establish a frightening attacking force of their own. Additionally, the presence of a fit again Laurent Koscielny will help significantly improve their chances of Champions League qualification via the league route this term.

It's a tough ask, but anything is possible.

2) Lacazette gets back on the scoresheet

Lacazette expresses his relief scoring after his goal drought

After eight Premier League games without a goal, Alexandre Lacazette finally got back amongst the goals for the Gunners.

The Frenchman got off to a glorious start, scoring in his first three home games. Then he got his first goal away from home at Everton, and scored against both clubs from Manchester, despite being a second-half substitute against Pep Guardiola's City side.

But recently, times have been tough for him. He has been continually linking up well as usual, but has struggled for opportunities to find the back of the net - just like the whole team.

This goal drought has not been all Lacazette's fault, either. He has not had very good service in the final third, with Özil's recent injury issues while questions over Alexis' transfer situation have combined to make it a tricky time at the club.

However, today was the day where he got his confidence back and made sure he notched a well-deserved goal - put on a plate for him by none other than the creative German himself.

Hopefully now with some new reinforcements and fresh faces at the club, there will be more creativity, which is only going to bode well for Arsenal's number nine.

1) Give Özil whatever he wants

Can Wenger persuade Özil to stay?

Arsenal supporters must now be terrified of losing Özil after yet another magnificent performance by him today. Contract talks are likely to have begun with the German, but there is still no announcement on a new deal.

Just like Jack Wilshere, Mesut has just six months remaining on his existing contract and could potentially leave for free in the summer if he deems their offer is not good enough, or he is persuaded by approaches from elsewhere like Sanchez-bound Manchester United.

Arsenal need to get this deal over the line. If it means paying him £250,000-a-week, it needs to be done. They're already set to lose Alexis in this window to a rival and cannot afford to lose their two best players within a six-month time frame.

You could argue that there have been occasions where the creative midfielder has seemed disinterested and struggled in England since his deadline day move from Real Madrid in 2013. But right now, he has been Arsenal's best player when he's on the pitch and displayed some of his best form.

No-one can deny he's a wonderful player. His deft flicks, excellent passing range, dribbling and technical brilliance are a joy to watch - Arsenal are certainly reaping the benefits now.

Arguably more important to the Gunners than Alexis with their playing style, they simply cannot afford to lose him.