Player Ratings Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Brilliant Bukayo Saka gives Premier League leaders EIGHT points!

The in-form England full-back scored twice, while Gabriel Martinelli and Granit Xhaka also scored at the Emirates

Arsenal opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a comfortable 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for the Gunners, producing a fine left foot finish from Bukayo Saka’s low cross.

The latter doubled the home side’s lead after a clever and perfectly considered pass from Ben White opened up the Palace defence.
Granit Xhaka latched on to Leandro Trossard’s ball to make it 3-0 early in the second half and although the coachless visitors responded through Jeffrey Schlupp, Saka scored again to seal victory.
Below, GOAL rates the Arsenal players featured in the Emirates:

Goalkeeper and Defense

Aaron Ramsdale (6/10): He made some decent first-half saves and could have done nothing for Palace’s goal.

Ben White (8/10): An absolutely fantastic exhaust on the right side. So it was no surprise that he was involved in the first two goals. Such a versatile and impressive defender. Very good welcome when he arrived late.

Rob Holding (7/10): Defended William Saliba well, winning numerous duels for his team and making several timely clearances.

Gabriel Magalhaes (6/10): Not as impressive as Holding, made a small mistake but was solid enough and passed the ball well.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (6/10): He always wanted to get the ball back and make something happen, but it wasn’t his most influential game. Gave up after 65 minutes for a well deserved break.

Midfield

Martin Odegaard (7/10): Always a threat when the ball hit the edge of the box at his feet, but not quite at his best.

Thomas Partey (7/10): gave Arsenal control of the game thanks to his efficient distribution of the ball and his impressive ability to win the ball back.

Granit Xhaka (8/10): Another dynamic performance from the Swiss, one of Arsenal’s players of the season. His well-crafted goal was only a reward for his commitment in midfield. Attack…

Bukayo Saka (8/10): A constant threat in the palace area. It was precisely his cross that led Martinelli to break the deadlock, himself closing cleanly after slipping into goal from White, with whom he worked well all the time. He killed the game like contest with another good attack from Kieran Tierney’s cut. He is the man of the match.

Leandro Trossard (7/10): couldn’t get through goal before being replaced by Gabriel Jesus, but was lively up front, beating in front of his goal with a fine through ball. Gabriel Martinelli (8/10): Maintained his brilliant return to form with another excellent finish, this time after getting past a defender before shooting home.

Subcontractors and managers

Gabriel Jesus (6/10): Made his first Premier League appearance since the World Cup midway through the second half and was full of energy but understandably looked rusty.

Kieran Tierney (7/10): Replaced Zinchenko at left-back just after the hour mark and impressed almost immediately with an assist for Saka.

Jorginho (N/A): only came on in the last 10 minutes.

Emile Smith Rowe (N/A): Presented together with Jorginho.

Jakob Kiwior (N/A): took over for Gabriel Magalhaes in the last five minutes.

Mikel Arteta (7/10): It may have been a routine victory in the end, but Arteta was as lively as ever on the sideline. The changes he made to his starting line-up ensured there would be no hangover after Thursday’s shock exit from the Europa League. However, he will be disappointed by conceding a goal from a set piece …