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.

Arsenal Midfielders Ratings

Thomas Partey (CM) – 6/10 – Building on from his most recent impressive 45 minutes, Thomas Partey put in a solid showing in the heart of midfield where he picked out a selection of clever passes in between centre-backs and full-backs for either Pepe or Saka to pick up.

Is this a half-decent partnership? It doesn’t add much goal threat.

Elneny’s energy definitely plays a part in unlocking Partey as the sweeper around him lets Partey seek out the dangerous passes and get Arsenal into attacking positions. Visibly tired as the game wore on.

Mohamed Elneny (CM) – 7/10 – Arsenal could do far worse than having Elneny as a 4th choice/backup midfielder next season. They could do significantly better, of course, but as someone to come in who isn’t especially skilled in any one department and equally not outright atrocious in others, he could do a job. Better quality can come in, but if he stayed it wouldn’t cause any distress if others go in his stead.

He showed his use on Wednesday with a solid evening’s work. Does what he does and not much else.

Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – 6/10 – Ended up being used more as a body to create space for others, sacrificing his usual time on the ball to make the movements that would open up the spaces for others to exploit. He did his job well and linked play neatly.

Arsenal Forwards Ratings

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 6/10 – Delightful flick to set up Tierney en route to Pepe’s goal, but it was an otherwise tough evening for Saka who felt the full force of the Palace challenges. It’s credit to him that being physical is the best way to stop him, and even then it doesn’t always come off.

The end of the season will come at the right time for Saka who needs the rest, were it not, of course, for an entire European tournament coming his way.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – 4/10 – Did link play well on occasion having been starved of much service throughout. Looked lost up front, even more so as the game wore on, and a change should have come as Aubameyang offered nothing all game.

Nicolas Pepe (LW) – 7/10 – Showed clever movement to find the space in the box to sidefoot home from Tierney’s cross, which was one of few positive elements from the Ivorian all evening. His take-on success rate will likely be in the negative percentage.

Was livelier and more effective in the second half but not much end product, until he produced pure magic in added time. Wonderful goal. He can do nothing all game if he pops up with goals like he did on Wednesday.

Arsenal Substitutes Ratings

Martin Odegaard – 7/10 – Found it hard after coming on with not much penetration through the barricades of Palace defenders. Found some pockets with neat footwork but couldn’t work the angles for exploiting, except for the delightful late ball. Lovely pick out.

Gabriel Martinelli – 8/10 – Barely saw any of the ball after coming on but scored a vital winner.

Granit Xhaka – 6/10 – Came in at his infamous left-back role but wasn’t able to influence the game greatly, but added security at the back.