All eyes will be on Sunday's round of Premier League matches with the race for a Europa League spot looking as tight as ever following Arsenal's victory over Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspurs' defeat to Aston Villa on Wednesday. The Gunners staged a late show to run away from the Selhurst Park with a 3-1 victory in what was Roy Hodgson's final game in charge at the venue.
In front of the 6,500 supporters who graced the venue to witness the veteran Premier League manager's final home game in charge of the Eagles, Arsenal backed their unrelentless charge to secure European football next season by opening the scoring through Nicolas Pepe in the 35th minute. The Gunners were however put in an uncomfortable position after Christian Benteke grabbed the equalizer for the host in the 62nd minute.
With all hopes of a comeback seemingly fleeting as a result of both side's inaction in front of goal, Gabriel Martinelli emerged as the hero inside the first minute of additional time to hand Mikel Arteta's men a glimmer of hope in their season's ambition. The Brazilian youngster met a cross at the far post of Crystal Palace and made no mistake to slot the ball home to hand his side the advantage.
60 - Arsenal have never lost a Premier League game in which a teenager has scored in, with tonight (Gabriel Martinelli scoring) being the 60th such match for the Gunners in the competition, winning 50 and drawing 10. Impressive. pic.twitter.com/LLKx6SwPl8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 19, 2021
Four minutes later, Nicolas Pepe seured his second of the night to extend Arsenal's lead to two, ensuring their fourth successive win in the Premier League - a feat that had never been achieved since Mikel Arteta took over as manager in October 2018. Incidentally, the game's outcome took the point tally of the Gunners to 58.
Should West Brom defeat West Ham in their clash scheduled for later on Wednesday night, the North Londoners could qualify for next season's Europa League provided Totteham Hotspur and Everton lose their respective games against Leicester City and Manchester City on Sunday.
