Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side dropped yet more points in the Premier League as the ten men succumbed to a 1-1 draw against Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace side. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring in the first half, but the rest of the fixture was a different story altogether. Despite the early Gunners dominance, Palace were allowed back into the tie by the Arsenal defence, and a moment of misfortune gifted the Eagles an equalising goal as well. The draw keeps the Gunners in tenth place for the time being, with the likes of Everton and Newcastle set to play later on in the weekend.
Here are the Arsenal players rated in their draw Vs Crystal Palace.
Bernd Leno – 6
The German was forced to stand by and watch as Jordan Ayew’s shot looped over him and into the back of the net. Made a couple of decent saves and did well to keep Palace down to just one.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6
The youngster did well to link up with the winger in the first half, but his influence within the tie seemed to dwindle gradually. Couldn’t impact in any way during the second period
Sokratis – 6
The Greek international centre-half didn’t have too much to do for most of this fixture but came undone in the second half. Was forced to do a lot of clearing in the later stages.
David Luiz – 5.5
Although the Brazilian started the game extremely well and was arguably the Gunners’ most important player in the first half, he seemed to lose the plot in the second period completely.
Sead Kolasinac – 6.5
The full-back showed his strength on a couple of occasions and defended fairly well too. Wasn’t able to have his usual impact going forward in the second half of the game though.
Lucas Torreira – 6
The dynamic Uruguayan youngster had a decent half of football at Selhurst Park, but unfortunately suffered a hip injury that forced him out of the fixture at half-time.
Granit Xhaka – 6
The Swiss international passed the ball around well in the middle of the park and did offer a certain degree of defensive cover as well. Couldn’t come into the tie as much in the second half.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang – 6
The talismanic Gabonese striker did well to take his goal in the first half and linked up well with Lacazette too. Made a questionable decision in the second half and got himself red-carded.
Mesut Ozil – 5.5
The German, like most of the Arsenal team, had a highly influential first-half but was gradually eased out of the game by the sheer work-rate of some of the Palace midfielders.
Nicolas Pepe – 6.5
The Frenchman almost gave the ten men the lead in the second half as a thunderous shot bounced back off the post and into Guaita’s grateful arms. Needs to improve his decision making in the box.
Alexandre Lacazette – 6
Played in a decent ball to release Aubameyang in the first half, and did well to setup Pepe in the second period as well. The French striker didn’t offer too much else going forward though.
Substitutes
Matteo Guendouzi – 6.5
The youngster came on and tried to regain control of the ball in the middle of the park. Despite his decent work, the extra man proved to be too much to deal with.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6.5
Another one of the prodigious youngsters at Arsenal – Martinelli showed good energy and enthusiasm after coming on and tried hard to make something happen in the late stages.
Reiss Nelson – NA
Didn’t have time to make an impact.
