ARSENAL VS CRYSTAL PALACE: Gunners’ player performances rated after Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal moved further away from their rivals in the Premier League with a hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace.
After it took just over 33 minutes for the Gunners to have their first chance, Eberechi Eze would score minutes later against his former club. Volleying a reversed cleared Declan Rice free-kick into the back of the net.
Gabriel Magalhaes hit the bar at the start of the second half from yet another set-piece while Rice went close with a volley.
Here is how football.london rated the performances of the Arsenal players:
David Raya – Little to do in the first half, but in the second, he caught the cross aimed at Eddie Nketiah very well. 6
Jurrien Timber – Great footwork under pressure to win the side a free-kick in the first half. Produced a great ball to find Martinelli soon after the winger had come on and worked tirelessly defensively. 8
William Saliba – Beaten in a race with Jean-Philippe Mateta in the first half and was then replaced at the half-time point by Cristhian Mosquera. 6
Gabriel Magalhaes – Produced a fine couple of sliding interceptions, particularly from an Ismaila Sarr shot after a turnover of possession. He looked like he got a touch on the cut-back but the powers at be deemed it to have come off a Palace player.
He would, at the start of the second half, hit the bar from yet another Rice cross. Brilliant pass for Leandro Trossard whose tapped effort couldn’t find a man. 8
Riccardo Calafiori – Some beautiful skill on the left-hand side to beat his man, aiding the build-up, great passing throughout. Very strong performance once again, so consistent. 7
Martin Zubimendi – Loose with the ball in the midfield on the 23rd minute, nearly leading to a big Palace chance. However, he recovered well and provided the base to the Gunners’ build-up, he always does but it was probably his least impressive display and that’s no criticism. 6
Declan Rice – Great delivery for the opening goal, finding Gabriel at the back post. A short free-kick routine then allowed him to cross from the Brazilian again, whose header smacked the crossbar, then saw a volley himself saved by Henderson. Was sadly replaced with a right leg injury. 7
Eberechi Eze – An amazing volley from the free-kick conceded by his Palace replacement Yeremy Pino. A beautiful unsavable strike past his former teammate. 7
Bukayo Saka – Went close with a curling effort from outside the box at the start of the second half. Wasn’t spotted in training all week and likely replaced early in the second half for protection. 6
Viktor Gyokeres – Had very little in the way of service, but his hold-up play is definitely improving. 6
Leandro Trossard – Had the first Arsenal shot of the game, low to the right of Henderson which he saved well. Found his cross for Gyokeres blocked, but some great technical work throughout from the Belgian. 7
Substitutes:
Cristhian Mosquera – Replacing William Saliba at half-time. Beaten for pace by Eddie Nketiah who was allowed to get his shot in. 5
Gabriel Martinelli – Replaced Bukayo Saka and played on the right. Found himself with a chance to cross almost immediately which was blocked. 6
Piero Hincapie – Replaced Riccardo Calafiori to make his Premier League debut late on. n/a
Mikel Merino – Replaced the injured Declan Rice late on. n/a
Myles Lewis-Skelly – Came on late to form a back five. n/a
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