Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Lacazette snatches 2-2 draw

Arsenal snatched an undeserved 2-2 draw against Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace on Monday night as goals from Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard were cancelled out by a last second Lacazette goal.

Mikel Arteta has had to wait a while to taste Premier League action since the previous outing away at Brighton, and with the international break sparing the Gunners of any injuries he was able to field a strong side.

His back five remained as it was, with the only change coming in midfield as Albert Sambi Lokonga made way for Nicolas Pepe in an attack-minded team. Up front it was exactly as it was, with the manager keeping the same XI that secured a 1-0 win away at Burnley earlier in the campaign.

It was a positive team that Arteta put and it transferred into an equally positive start. Pepe was heavily involved in the opening stages and it was his curling effort that Vicente Guaita superbly saved, but only into the path of Aubameyang who finished superbly from a very tight angle.

Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace Alexandre Lacazette snatches an undeserved 2-2 draw in the dying seconds for Arteta’s side.

The strong start from the home outfit continued as Emile Smith Rowe saw an effort comfortably saved, with Palace then growing into the game, having the majority of possession and carving open the clearest chances. The second half concluded with James McArthur getting away with murder.

After the break Thomas Partey came within a whisker of scoring his opening goal, only to then get sloppily caught out in possession that let Benteke in to equalise.

Arsenal could not build effectively in phase one and Lacazette came on to try and help Arsenal muster some control of proceedings. It made a difference, but the goal came at the other end. This time Edouard capitalised on Sambi being pick-pocketed.

Tierney smacked the crossbar late on as a limp Arsenal pushed for an equaliser, but they didn’t deserve one. Palace were well worthy of their three points. But, somehow, Lacazette snatched it. Undeservedly so.

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders Ratings

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 7/10 – Some big saves and some neat deliveries, Ramsdale continues to look as comfortable as he can be as the starting goalkeeper for Arsenal.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) – 7/10 – Aggressive out of possession and positive with it, some of his passing was off but it was an otherwise solid outing for Tomiyasu once again.

Ben White (CB) – 8/10 – If we can talk about Partey being a Rolls Royce midfielder, then White’s performance deserves similar accolades. Supremely calm in and out of possession he didn’t put a single foot wrong. Looked like a top defender.

Perhaps could have been tighter to Edouard.

Gabriel (CB) – 6/10 – Provided the steel next to White in defence but had issues when left to deal with two men centrally as Gallagher joined in the attack. Was left out to dry on occasion.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 5/10 – Out of possession, Tierney was very strong in his pressures. On the ball, however, his passing was lacking once more. Could have been slightly more positive down the left. Chose the simple option too often.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – 4/10 – Started the game brilliantly with Palace either too scared or not bothered to apply any pressure on him. As the fast opening went flat, Partey got bypassed in midfield too often with the spaces either side easily exploited and balls found into the strikers’ feet.

So sloppily caught out for Palace’s goal and then his his distribution started lacking.

Martin Odegaard (CM) – 4/10 – Operating in the deeper role with Partey, when Arsenal were in control of the game he looked his usual silky self, but as is the common criticism, when his side aren’t dominating he can be overrun too easily in midfield.

No where near enough influence when the game needed grabbing by the scruff of the neck.

Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – 6/10 – When Arsenal began relinquishing possession it was Smith Rowe who was moved back deeper for Pepe to be advanced as his work rate in the centre of the park was relentless. Ran his socks off.

Forwards

Nicolas Pepe (RW) – 4/10 – Lively opening and forced the early goal, yet tailed off when Arsenal were defending deeper as he is arguably the least effective presser among Arsenal’s forwards.

Looked much more threatening and was more direct after the break, but that was very short lived. Not a good day for the Ivorian. Nope.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – 7/10 – Never stopped running. Quite remarkable work rate. That said, this has been the engaged Aubameyang seen for much of this season. He was the one above all who tried to force the issue further up the pitch.

Superb finish from a tight angle, too. Kept up the effort well into the dying seconds.

Bukayo Saka (LW) – 5/10 – He is better on the right. It’s that simple.

Not Saka’s best day in terms of carrying, and being assaulted by James McArthur meant he was taken off at half-time.

Substitutes

Albert Sambi Lokonga – 5/10 – Popped up on the left and the right as he tried to get involved in the build up, but Arsenal struggled in the first phase for any meaningful progression.

Just like Partey, got caught in possession and punished.

Alexandre Lacazette – 8/10 – Came on and all of a sudden Arsenal looked like they might actually score a goal. And he got it. Excellent introduction.

Gabriel Martinelli – N/A – Not on long enough for rating.