Arsenal vs Crystal Palace player ratings: Hidden resilience

By Josh Sippie | Jan 11, 2020

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Referee Paul Tierney shows a red card to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

Central Midfield

CM. Arsenal. GRANIT XHAKA. 6.3. Hit and miss. He played sturdy and smart for the most part, but even he struggled with the chaotic flow of the match and you could sense the midfield presence slipping away in the middle parts of the match. That’s Xhaka’s job. That said, he picked his passes well, he wasn’t shaky in possession and he did his job defensively.

Arsenal. LUCAS TORREIRA. 6.1. Didn’t settle well into the chaotic nature of the first half. Had trouble establishing a presence, which is what <a rel=. CM

5.5. Beautiful involvement in that first goal. Looked like prime Ozil with his quick and precise decision making. But that lasted for 12 minutes. He got lost when the match got testy after that and he never showed back up. Didn’t create a single change and lost possession four times. Not the kind of match that we’ve come to expect from him and it’s worrying all over again.. CAM. Arsenal. MESUT OZIL