GUNS END DRY SPELL IN STYLE

HIGH FIVE: Gabriel Martinelli and Jorginho hug in celebration at the final whistle

BACK to basics proved the answer to Arsenal’s ongoing goal drought.

Mikel Arteta’s men went all old school yesterday as their Brazil defender Gabriel delivered a matchwinning display... in attack.

Nothing like a big centre-half to weigh in with some goals to keep a team’s title chances alive and kicking.

It used to happen regularly back in the day but not so much in these modern, purist-passing times.

Gabriel reminded us of that fact here. He headed in the opener and was pivotal in the second – his effort flying in off Crystal Palace keeper

Dean Henderson. That, along with Leandro Trossard’s strike and a late double from sub Gabriel Martinelli, secured a first league win in four for the Gunners, putting them two points behind leaders Liverpool who travel to Bournemouth today.

So that warm weather break in Dubai did the trick for the red-hot hosts. But for Roy Hodgson’s Palace, five points off relegation, the bleak winter continues.

Arteta’s claim on Friday that his team is the best in the land – apart from at finishing – was flawed. Before this third derby on the bounce, Arsenal were fourth best in terms of chances created and ninth worst in converting them.

Something did not add up. In truth the only stats that mattered were the one win in five in all competitions and none in three in the league.

All of which had sent Arsenal tumbling from table-topping title favourites to fourth-place outsiders in a month.

With five points between them and Liverpool, victory was essential against a Palace team that has now managed that only once in the last