Olivier Giroud proved to be the goal hero yet again as Arsenal moved up to third with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.
The French striker, who scored two in the Gunners' 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup last time out, added to Santi Cazorla's penalty to set the visitors on their way.
Substitute Glenn Murray pulled one back for Palace late on but it was too late to late as Arsenal held on for all three points. With Manchester United losing to Swansea and Southampton not playing until the following day, Arsene Wenger's men were able to leapfrog their league rivals into third.
There wasn't too much goalmouth action in the first half and it was in fact the hosts who started the brightest. But it was Arsenal who took the lead after eight minutes. Pape Souare, who was making his Premier League debut for Palace, pulled down Danny Welbeck in the box. Cazorla stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick and calmly rolled it into the bottom corner of Julian Speroni's net.
Arsenal were nowhere near their best and the lead didn't seem to spark them into life either, with the limited chances coming their way being wasted until the closing stages of the first half. Laurent Koscielny sent a header harmlessly off target, while Alexi Sanchez's deflected effort was comfortably saved by Speroni.
At the other end Dwight Gayle sent a free-kick high and wide before later evading two tackles and seeing a shot well blocked by Koscielny.
Palace were putting in a decent shift but all their hard work was undone when the Gunners doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time. Sanchez released Welbeck and the England international saw his effort parried by Speroni before Giroud tapped home the rebound.
It was a far from convincing first half from Arsenal but the visitors had done what was needed to take firm control of the game.
The hosts started the second half as they had begun the first in a positive attacking fashion. Wilfried Zaha saw his effort deflected wide for a corner. Jason Puncheon also saw a shot blocked as Palace tried to get back into the game.
Arsenal really should have gone 3-0 up when Mesut Ozil released Alexis Sanchez but the Chilean's effort sailed agonisingly wide of the far post.
Zaha was continuing to cause Arsenal problems but they just couldn't make their attacks count as Jordan Mutch, Yannick Bolasie, Gayle and Puncheon all wasted chances.
There was a brief break in play when Gunners' shot-stopper David Ospina needed brief treatment after jumping above Per Mertesacker to head clear and hurting himself in process. Luckily for the visitors he was soon able to continue.
Arsenal new-boy Gabriel Paulista came on for a late cameo and soon after Palace grabbed a deserved consolation goal when Murray bundled home from close range in stoppage time. Murray then almost turned the consolation into a share of the spoils when he got on the end of Bolasie's cross. His header beat Ospina but fortunately for Arsenal it hit a post.
Wenger's men held on for the victory and moving up into third place is a big step in their battle to try and ensure Champions League qualification yet again.
Attention must now swiftly turn to the Champions League ahead of the upcoming visit of Wenger's former side AS Monaco.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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