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Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace: Player ratings as Gunners extend lead at top to eight points

By James Cormack

Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka (2R) celebrates with teammates after scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 19, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka (2R) celebrates with teammates after scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 19, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal will take an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League table into the international break after they beat Crystal Palace 4-1 on Sunday afternoon.

It took a while for the Gunners to get out of the blocks, however, and Wilfried Zaha almost took advantage of Arsenal’s sluggishness when he crashed an effort off Aaron Ramsdale’s post.

That was as good as it got for the away side in the first half, with the hosts enjoying a dominant end to the opening period after Gabriel Martinelli netted an important opener. Bukayo Saka added a second before the break as Arsenal cruised into half-time with a 2-0 lead.

Granit Xhaka added a third after the restart before Palace threatened an unlikely comeback when Jeffrey Schlupp poked home from a corner. Zaha went close to making it 3-2 which would’ve set up a nervy finish, but Saka put the result beyond any reasonable doubt when he latched onto Kieran Tierney’s cross and finished first time.

That allowed the hosts to cruise in the closing stages and they’ll take a healthy lead at the top heading into the March break.

Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace player ratings

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their emphatic victory over Palace.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Rob Holding filled in for William Saliba. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Rob Holding filled in for William Saliba. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 6/10 – No clean sheet for Rambo, who was rarely troubled. It feels like I’ve written that a lot this season.

Ben White (RB) – 8/10 – Zaha had his moments, but he was largely kept in check by the excellent White, who was also effective going forward in the first half.

Rob Holding (CB) – 7/10 – No Wilo? No problem. Holding filled in ably for the Frenchman. The defender appreciated Palace’s long ball efforts in the opening period as it allowed him to dominate Odsonne Edouard in the air.

Gabriel (CB) – 6/10 – A quiet outing for Gabriel with Holding getting through much of the defensive work. Was replaced late on as Jakub Kiwior made his Premier League debut.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – 6.5/10 – We’re typically taken aback by the left-back’s majesty in possession, but he particularly impressed in the defensive phase on Sunday. Michael Olise was kept in check.

Continued on the next slide…