Arsenal 2 Crystal Palace 0: Five things we learnt as Olivier Giroud magic stuns Eagles

OLIVIER GIROUD scored a very early contender for goal of the season before Alex Iwobi wrapped up a routine win for Arsenal.

The Frenchman sent the ball crashing in off the bar with a ridiculous scorpion kick that made even Henrikh Mhktaryan's stunner look ordinary.

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And Iwobi's second-half header consigned Sam Allardyce to a first defeat as Eagles chief while taking the Gunners within nine points of runaway leaders Chelsea.

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Here are five things we learnt from the Emirates.

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Henrikh Mhyktaryan closed out 2016 by scoring with an outrageous piece of improvisation that was a huge shout for goal of the season.

But Giroud took just one day to steal the United star's thunder by producing an even better finish.

The Frenchman was aided by being in an onside position and smashing the ball in via the bar for extra impact.

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Allardyce earned a decent point in his first game in charge but today's game showed how far Palace are off the pace.

Apart from Christian Benteke wasting a great chance and a few long-range efforts, the Eagles did not threaten the Gunners.

And defensively there is even more work to be done with several last-gasp challenges needed to keep the score down.

Allardyce could be one of the Premier League's busiest bosses in the make-or-break January window.

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Even with Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott missing, Wenger had a wealth of options to pick from, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Francis Coquelin joining Wales star Aaron Ramsey on the bench.

Shkodran Mustafi's presence on the bench will be a huge relief to the Frenchman who is starting to develop something approaching a sturdy defence.

Hec of a player

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Bellerin's prowess going forward has never been in doubt but he proved he can do a job defensively.

Up against Wilfried Zaha, the Spaniard managed to shut out Palace down the left flank.

Nacho Monreal on the other side looks more shaky when asked to protect his goal, with the amount of time Andros Townsend had to pick out Benteke an example of his failings.

Bellerin will be constantly linked with the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona if he keeps playing like this.

Title charge is on

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Arsenal's next four games are against Bournemouth, Swansea, Burnley and Watford.

If the Gunners can pick up maximum points they will pile the pressure on Chelsea, who will surely lose at some point.

Wenger has struggled to put together a credible title challenge for a while but may just have a chance to silence his critics in 2017.