Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Martinelli and Pepe secure vital win

Arsenal snatched a win against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night as Gabriel Martinelli netted an added time strike with Pepe adding gloss to secure a 3-1 win in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta opted to make two changes from the 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with Calum Chambers and Nicolas Pepe and coming in to the side in place of Pablo Mari and Martin Odegaard.

Amid the backdrop of Roy Hodgson’s final home game in charge with the return of supporters adding to the occasion, early Palace possession swapped hands as Arsenal controlled large spells.

Some neat interchanging down the right side between Emile Smith Rowe and Nicolas Pepe, with Calum Chambers supporting, produced some clever openings but none were taken advantage of. Jeffrey Schlupp somehow escaped a red card – Aubameyang’s last season wasn’t too dissimilar – before Arsenal took the lead in fine style.

Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace as Gabriel Martinelli nets huge late goal for 2-1 win as Gunners chase European football

Bukayo Saka’s backheel fell perfectly in the path of Kieran Tierney, who lofted a ball in for Pepe to direct home on his right foot. Before the break there was still time for the ‘Roy Hodgson retirement gift card’ to be used as Christian Benteke was next to ridiculously escape a sending off.

Arsenal controlled the opening stages of the second half, happy to slow the play down and invite Palace onto them. However, a woefully defended set piece saw an unmarked Christian Benteke nod home.

Shot-shy Arsenal created absolutely nothing throughout the second half, failing to break down the Palace wall with triangles on either side lacking in any tempo or penetration.

Nothing happened for Arsenal in a painful and frankly boring second half, until Gabriel Martinelli scored a huge late winner for the visitors to keep their European ambitions alive, with Pepe adding gloss to a performance that didn’t deserve it.

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders Ratings

Bernd Leno (GK) – 6/10 – Couple of good saves in the first half and a few in the second, but those you’d like your goalkeeper to make. Importantly, Leno’s distribution was better if still lacking on occasion on the night. More accurate than at Chelsea, at least.

Calum Chambers (RB) – 7/10 – Supported Pepe well down the right and dealt with the threat of Wilfried Zaha comfortably.

Rob Holding (CB) – 7/10 – Did something he rarely ever does which is kick the ball far and accurately. His long distance distribution and passing down the line is usually painfully lacking, but Holding picked out a few solid cross-field passes on Wednesday. Defended well, too.

David Luiz in a mask? We jest.

Gabriel (CB) – 6/10 – Strong in the air all evening, batting way whatever delivery he could. After some considerably poor distribution against Chelsea that improved, but he threw that positivity away after being nowhere near Benteke for the Palace equaliser.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 7/10 – Don’t boo Kieran Tierney. You’ll only regret it. If anything, it just fires him up.

A very good evening of work for the Scot who despite not being fully fit put in a combative shift topped off with a delicious assist for Tierney. Thoroughly enjoyable to see him making those shoulder drops and runs beyond again.