Arsenal player ratings: Gabriel shines at both ends but David Raya still looking shaky despite comfortable Palace win

WHO says Arsenal have a problem scoring goals?

The Gunners had scored just one from 61 shots across their previous three fixtures but were ruthless in hitting Palace for FIVE.

Reuters

Gabriel was a domineering presence in the air for the Gunners today and looked like scoring from every corner[/caption]

Reuters

His goal and assist put Arsenal in control of the game[/caption]

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Martinelli’s double showed why Arteta will have to think twice before leaving him out again[/caption]

Their goals in the first half came from the unlikely source of Gabriel… Who rose imperiously from corners to head home twice – albeit his second went down on as a Dean Henderson own goal.

Leandro Trossard‘s 59th minute strike put Arsenal 3-0 up and into cruise control against a deflated looking Palace side.

Gabriel Martinelli, who was dropped from the starting XI in favour of Trossard came on in the 69th minute with more than a point to prove.

And his stoppage time brace allowed the Gunners to finish the game in complete style and romp to a 5-0 victory.

Here’s how SunSport’s Cosmo Teare rated the Gunners today. 

David Raya – 6

Still surprisingly shaky on the ball given he was brought in to help in that respect.

Gave up a decent chance in the first half when he passed directly to Jefferson Lerma in the Palace midfield.

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Did well to recover on the save from Lerma’s shot though, and wasn’t really tested apart from that.

Ben White – 7

His trademark overlapping runs always gave Bukayo Saka an option outside of him.

Composed on the ball and able to help Arsenal build attacks and kept Eberechi Eze quiet, which is no mean feat.

William Saliba – 7

Was rarely tested by a poor Palace side but is always a calming presence in the Arsenal backline.

Gabriel Magalhaes – 10

Gabriel wasn’t the obvious choice when it came to Arteta’s goal-scoring conundrum but boy did he deliver a solution.

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Gabriel looked like he’d score from every corner[/caption]

Reuters

Martinelli showed why Arteta will have to think hard before leaving him out[/caption]

The Sun

The defender put in a perfect performance[/caption]

The defender rose high to convert from corners for Arsenal’s opening two goals – albeit having his second one taken away from him courtesy of a Dean Henderson deflection.

His voice was the loudest in the entire Emirates Stadium and he was consistently heard marshalling his team towards a well-earned clean sheet.

Can you really ask for more in a game from a defender?

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 8

Not tested defensively on his return from injury but he offers so much to this Arsenal side when playing well.

His inversion into the central midfield allowed Rice, Odegaard and Havertz to flourish.

Declan Rice – 8

Another trademark performance from the England man.

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Trossard was somehow outshone by Martinelli despite having an excellent game[/caption]

The Sun

Martinelli feasted on a tired Palace backline[/caption]

The midfielder was not just able to develop any Crystal Palace attacks before they developed but carried the ball from deep with aplomb.

He is the glue of this Arsenal midfield functioning well.

Martin Odegaard – 7

Not a standout performance from the Norwegian but perhaps that’s thanks to his own impeccable standards.

The midfielder was the link between Arsenal’s midfield and attack and found Saka in dangerous positions several times.

Kai Havertz – 7

Starting to show why Mikel Arteta was so willing to pay Chelsea the £65million to bring him in.

His languid presence on the left of Arsenal’s midfield offered the Gunners thrust in getting into the opposition box.

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Jesus did well on his return from injury[/caption]

Linked very well with Rice and Odegaard.

Bukayo Saka – 7

Had one of his quieter games but Arsenal did not need him to be at his best.

His corner led to Arsenal’s second courtesy of the head of Dean Henderson.

Gabriel Jesus – 8

Showed exactly what Arsenal have been missing up front after he was ruled out of The Gunners’ previous game against Liverpool.

Consistently pressed Palace’s sorry backline and linked attacks well.

Notched an assist for Trossard’s goal.

Leandro Trossard – 9

That was some way for Trossard to justify his inclusion in Mikel Arteta’s XI having been chosen over Gabriel Martinelli.

The winger was able to offer consistent threat down the left by holding his width close to the touchline and had the beating of his man every time.

He won the corner for Arsenal’s first, which was converted by Gabriel courtesy of Trossard’s cross.

And to put the icing on the cake – he added Arsenal’s third to put them into cruise control in the 59th minute.

The Sun

Arsenal ran riot against Palace[/caption]

Subs

Gabriel Martinelli (69′) – 9

Clearly wants his place back in the side from Trossard and produced a thrilling performance from the bench.

The winger came on with a point to prove and was consistently able to drive his way into the Palace box.

Scored a rapid brace in added time with a pair of brilliantly taken identical goals.

Emile Smith Rowe (69′) – 6

Showed enough decent flashes and linked play well.

Jorginho (73′) – 5

Some dodgy passing after coming on but was able to bag an assist for Arsenal’s fifth.

Eddie Nketiah (81′) – 7

Played Martinelli through for Arsenal’s fourth.

Linked play well

Jakub Kiwior (81′) – N/A

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