Jonathan Spencer: On paper, there’s no reason why this Arsenal starting XI shouldn’t be aiming for top 4 (displacing United, considering how poor they’ve been lately)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tracks back superbly to win the ball back in his own half and start an Arsenal attack. Leading from the front.

Odsonne Edouard, who has done a pretty decent job of filling in for Wilfried Zaha, tries to squeeze through two Arsenal players on the left but he's unsuccessful. Palace need to make the most of this good spell they are having.

Martin Odegaard gives away free kick in a dangerous position as he catches Jordan Ayew. Decent opportunity here for Palace on the right but it is a terrible delivery by Luka Milivojevic, who fails to beat the first man.

Arsenal's defence is slow to react as Christian Benteke gets the ball on the edge of the box and he is allowed to turn. The striker tries to find the bottom corner but his low effort is too close to Aaron Ramsdale.

Better from Palace, though, in the last few minutes.

A first shot on goal for Crystal Palace and it is a nice move for it as Conor Gallagher and Odsonne Edouard exchange passes to open up the Arsenal defence before Gallagher's shot from the edge of the box is held by Aaron Ramsdale.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang plays a great ball from left to right to find Nicolas Pepe just inside the box but Pepe's first touch isn't great and Palace clear.

The visitors then lose the ball and Bukayo Saka finds Emile Smith Rowe, who spies an opportunity to shoot but his low drive is straight at Vicente Guaita.

Kyle Utterson: Great start from Arsenal. Lovely finish from Aubameyang. Pepe looks on top form tonight. Good to see Arsenal playing an attacking side. With the players Arsenal have they should score a lot more goals.

Jordan Ayew wins the ball off Martin Odegaard but good defending forces Crystal Palace back to their defence to try and rebuild a rare attack. The visitors are yet to manage a shot of note.

Nicolas Pepe's ball into the box takes a touch off a Palace player and goes behind for their second corner of the game. Martin Ødegaard's delivery is into the middle of the box this time and after a scramble Pepe's snapshot is wayward and the visitors clear.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is down getting some treatment after he was clipped in an off the ball incident. No intention in it but he's in a bit of discomfort.

After a nervous minute or two for Arsenal fans he is back on his feet and OK to carry on.

Odsonne Edouard breaks up the pitch quickly for Crystal Palace. He has Christian Benteke in support, finds him although the ball is a little behind but Benteke picks it up before trying to force his way between three Arsenal players. No way through and he goes down but no chance of a penalty, just nowhere for him to go.

Really, really good start by Arsenal. Crystal Palace are struggling to get a hold of the ball with the home side on the hunt for a second.

Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Aubameyang really alert. Poor defensive play from Crystal Palace. Pepe bends the ball, Guaita gets a good fingertip to it and Aubameyang is alert. I thought the Palace defending was woeful. The way Pepe went past Ayew, woeful from him.

Bukayo Saka tries to get around Joel Ward on the left but Ward defends well to put the ball behind for a corner.

Arsenal give the ball away and Christian Benteke breaks forward but Thomas Partey gets back well to help out the defence.

Quick, sharp passing from Arsenal in these early stages. They certainly do look a side brimming with confidence that a good run of recent form provides.

Crystal Palace get things under way at the Emirates.

And there it is.

A brilliant reception for Patrick Vieira as he walks out of the tunnel. As he suggested before the game, he's done his best to stay focussed on his role here as Crystal Palace manager but does hold a hand of acknowledgement up to all stands.

What a player he was.