Crystal Palace v Arsenal - Player Ratings

A chance to increase our 11-match winning streak to 12 was missed today in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, away at Selhurst Park. It was an end to end affair, which told the story of Arsenal's defensive frailties. 

A tough battle with Palace, again begun with a relatively slow start from Arsenal. A very end to end half saw chances missed at both ends, until a very clumsy sliding challenge from Mustafi gave away a needless penalty. Crystal Palace's captain Milivojevic slotted home to give Palace the 1-0 lead going into the half. In the second half as per recent weeks, we came out looking the better and more energised team. Make shift left-back Granit Xhaka unleashed his inner Roberto Carlos, smashing home a curving free kick effort, in off the top left corner post, 1-1. Only 5 minutes later Aubameyang managed to get on the end of a scrappy corner, putting into the goal only 8mm over the line, flicked on controversially by the hand of Lacazette. Arsenal created a few more chances, but started to show signs of fatigue, potentially impacted by this being the 3rd game in 7 days. Late into the game Palace earned themselves another penalty, at the hands of a stiff leg stuck out by Xhaka, causing Zaha to tumble over inside the box. A dramatic fall but a lazy challenge from Xhaka nonetheless. The palace captain again slotted it home to give himself the brace and his team the 2-2 full time result. Both sides taking a way a hard fought point at the end of the game.

Player Ratings: 

Bernd Leno: 7

Another solid game in goal, impressed me by claiming or punching out almost every ball that came in from set pieces. Unfortunately could not save either of the penalties, although got a hand to the second.

Hector Bellerin: 6

Only played the first half as was taken off at half time due to injury. Had a good half though and got up and down the wing well. Hoping he is back for the Liverpool game.

Shkodran Mustafi: 4.5

Cost us the first goal with nothing short of a moment of madness. There is never a need to go down like that in the box and it has today potentially cost us the game. Looked decent in the air defensively, but not much more to say.

Rob Holding: 6 

Looked solid at the back, did not make any rash mistakes and held his position well. He is proving that if anyone should lose their place for Sokratis, it shouldn't be him.

Granit Xhaka: 7

Had a mixed game but considering he is completely out of position at left-back, he did a job. Scored a world class goal to get us back in the game, but cost us late on with a lazy challenge on Zaha. 

Lucas Torreira: 7.5

My man of the match today. Looked rather isolated in the middle of the pitch without his usual partner Xhaka. But worked tirelessly as always to win the ball back and stop many counter attacks with his intercepting. Did not have as much impact on the game offensively as in recent weeks, but did his job well to keep Palace at bay when he could.

Matteo Guendouzi: 6.5

Had a great game defensively, making the most tackles of any player on the field (6). However did not serve well as a replacement for Xhaka in the middle, often left Torreira alone and did not offer much going forward, creating 0 chances.

Mesut Ozil: 6

Was not able to match the brilliance he displayed last week, and looked very frustrated with himself when substituted. However he did put in a good effort and made some threatening passes, I felt players were not making enough runs to give him a lot of options today. 

Alex Iwobi: 5 

After recent performances, I expected a lot more from him today. Lost the ball 9 times, which was more than any other player in our side. He has played a lot recently so we can only hope it was just a matter of fatigue. He did break well on a few counters for us however.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 7

Deserves credit for putting us in front in the game, and taking himself to the top of the league's scoring charts alongside Eden Hazard with 7 goals. However did not have one of his most exciting games apart from that, looked a threat with his pace at times but did not get into many goal-scoring positions.

Alexandre Lacazette: 5

Won the ball back a few times to regain possession for the team but other than that, offered us very little and did not link up the play as well as he usually does. Made a calamitous mistake to give Palace the counter that led to the equalising goal.

Substitutes:

Stephan Lichtsteiner: 6.5
A good second half display coming on for the injured Hector Bellerin. Dealt with Zaha well and committed fouls when needed, in positions that were not a danger to concede from.

Danny Welbeck: 6
Came on and put in a shift, got himself around the field and posed a reasonable threat with his pace on the counter.

Aaron Ramsey: 6
Didn't have too much time, but got himself involved as best he could. Nearly latched onto a cross from Xhaka in the air that could have given us the winning goal.


Jake Wren 

@jakewren14