Afternoon all. So, the Premier League appears to be sorting itself out: the big and rich kids win more or less every time, there are just six of them rather than the four there were previously. And Arsenal need a win today, with Spurs and Manchester United on their heels but Manchester City in their sights. But then again so do Crystal Palace, whose new manager has had dealings with them before. This could get revitalisingly messy.

Palace can't cope with Arsenal's movement and pace on the break, which is going to make things tricky for them. How do they commit men forwards?

He's largely disappointed so far - partly because he's not had a run of games - but Xhaka has played very well this afternoon.

Arsenal sweep forward again, Xhaka lifting another clever pass over the top for Monreal, who barges down the line and nearly traps Townsend in possession. He just about manages to get the ball clear, coming as close as possible to fouling without being penalised.

"One of the best goals I've ever seen," says Gary Neville. I think he's over-egging that - it was good, but it wasn't that good. Still, though, exceptional behaviour.

SCORPION KICK GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace (Giroud) What a finish this is! What a move this is! Arsenal sweep forward on the break and Iwobi finds Sanchez on the left, who comes inside and crosses - behind Giroud. He doesn't quite perform the athletic fling and contortion that Mkhitaryan pulled off, more helping the ball along from roundabout his buttocks, but it's still a brilliant piece of skill and clatters home in off the bar. Brilliant!

Arsenal are obviously well on top here, but Palace will be happy to have fiddled through 15 minutes with only one serious alarm. Arsenal aren't peppering their goal as yet. But this is nice, Bellerin tapping inside for Iwobi to slide one down the side for Perez - he has such lovely appreciation of runs and space for a kid. And he gets the ball back, too, sweeping a low shot from just outside the box, right of centre, that Hennessy saves without too many difficulties.

In more sensible stylings, Gary Neville is talking about Lucas Perez, and how impressed he was with his movement and directness.

The epitome of generosity.

Xhaka rolls one to Sanchez, who spins, 25 yards out and left of centre, then swipes across a shot which flies narrowly wide of the far post. He is so much better than his team-mates as to be almost indecent.

Gary Neville says that Zaha wants to play for Ivory Coast because he's feeling rejected by England. Perhaps he just feels a connection to the country in which he was born? Just a thought.

Consternation as Zaha thinks he wins a corner but instead cedes a free-kick. It's still raining hard.

Gosh, this is a miss! Xhaka sends a delectable cross-kick from outside the box for Monreal on its left side, and he cushions a first-time cross that Giroud can breathe in. Except, somehow, he contrives to impart not even a particle, and the ball runs away fro Perez at the back post.

Sanchez finds himself in his own half, so immediately turns and clips a long searcher towards Perez. But Hennessy is off his line sharply and slides in to clear - good keeping, that.

Palace have started confidently here, even if they are wearing yellow shirts, shorts and stockings, or, put another way, they could not look less intimidating.

The ball bounces off a few heads and Iwobi runs onto it once it's loose, sliding Sanchez in, and Kelly recovers well to concede a corner. It comes to nothing.

And they're off!

There are three double-barrelled names on the Arsenal bench. That's got to be a record, which is like a trophy.

Sky reckon Iwobi will be off Giroud, not Sanchez, and I agree - not that Arsenal's Twitter isn't reliable.

And here they come...