Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace: 9/10 trio shine but Arteta handed double concern | Football | Sport
Arsenal battled to a 1-0 Premier League victory against Crystal Palace as they extended their lead at the top of the table to four points. The home side were made to work for the three points at the Emirates Stadium as the Eagles provided the Gunners with one of their toughest tests of the campaign.
Arsenal were thwarted for much of the match as Palace repelled them time and time again. But former Palace attacker Eberechi Eze proved to be the difference as he volleyed the ball past Dean Henderson after the Eagles’ defence had failed to deal with Declan Rice’s free-kick in the latter stages of the first half. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be happy with the three points, but the Spaniard was given a new concern after influential duo William Saliba and Rice were both forced off with suspected injuries. And Express Sport rates and slates the Gunners players.
Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace (4-3-3)
David Raya: 7
Inspires confidence in the backline but did receive a look from Rice after playing the midfielder into trouble late on. Was rarely threatened and only had one save to make.
Jurrien Timber: 9
Was a warrior at the back and continues to offer his side a physical presence all over the pitch. Attacked well and tried to make things happen in the final third. Arguably Arsenal’s best player.
Gabriel: 9
Was a brick wall in defence as usual as he made a crucial tackle to halt Ismaila Sarr in the first half. Teed up Eze’s opener and then hit the crossbar with his own effort in the early stages of the second half. Collided with the post in the second half but stood up well to the Palace attackers.
William Saliba: 5
Was given a hard time by Jean-Philippe Mateta as Palace carved out a number of chances in the first half. Also had time to play the ball forward and get his side moving in the right direction, but chose to take the safe pass too often. Was forced off with an injury at the interval.
Was timid in attack, and the game may have been more suited to academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly, who offers more going forward. Was too slow in possession as well.
Eberechi Eze: 9
The script was written for the former Palace man as he scored the only goal of the game with his first strike for Arsenal. Was dangerous throughout and continues to excel during the early stages of his Gunners career.
Martin Zubimendi: 5
Didn’t get on the ball as much as he would have liked and misplaced a number of passes. Needs to offer more in the centre of the pitch to keep his place in the coming months.
Declan Rice: 8
Calm on the ball and was central to Arsenal’s attacking play as he whipped in decent set-piece deliveries. Got his reward before the break as Gabriel nodded a free-kick into the path of Eze, who volleyed the ball in.
Bukayo Saka: 6
Was marked out of the game and thwarted by Tyrick Mitchell as his Arsenal team-mates struggled to find him, but almost got on the end of a Trossard cross in the second period. Has been a slow start to the season for the England winger, but at least he’s drawing defenders to him and leaving space for other players to flourish.
Viktor Gyokeres: 7
Was full of energy as he ran in behind the Palace backline. Also held the ball up well to get his team-mates into the game. Is an absolute handful for defenders in and out of possession and will get his goals this season.
Leandro Trossard: 5
Wasn’t involved enough and lacked quality when he did get onto the ball. Forced a save from Henderson 10 minutes before the break but should have done better from a decent position.
Substitutions
Cristhian Mosquera: 7
Came on to replace William Saliba at half-time and settled in nicely alongside Gabriel.
Gabriel Martinelli: 6
Was introduced with just under 25 minutes remaining as Bukayo Saka made way but didn’t offer much of an attacking edge.
Piero Hincapie: 6
Replaced Riccardo Calafiori in the final 10 minutes as he was handed his Premier League debut.
Mikel Merino: 6
A late replacement after Declan Rice was taken off with an ankle issue.
Myles Lewis-Skelly: 6
Came on in the 88th minute. Will be desperate for more game time in the coming weeks.
