Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal: Player ratings as champions end campaign on a high

Arsenal took to the pitch for the first time as Premier League champions as they secured a 2-1 victory away to London rivals Crystal Palace.

With the title already wrapped up prior to kick-off, Mikel Arteta took the opportunity to rest key players and offer chances to others. Max Dowman was among those as he was named in the XI to become the youngest starter in Premier League history, adding to the list of records he has taken hold of this season.

Gabriel Jesus had a great chance to put his side in front early on when he pounced on a loose touch by Jefferson Lerma, but he could only strike the foot of the post. He then saw another opening come his way as he was played through by Noni Madueke, but he couldn't beat Dean Henderson.

Kepa came to the champions' rescue on his first league start to deny Daniel Muñoz a deadlock breaker when he got down well to keep out a header from the right back.

The Gunners found the breakthrough minutes before half-time when Dowman and Gabriel Martinelli combined for the latter to set Jesus up to beat Henderson at the near post and put the champions in front at the break.

Arsenal started the second half as they mean to go on when they doubled their advantage minutes after the break. Kai Havertz, fresh off the bench, flicked on a corner delivery for Madueke to meet with a volley on the edge of the box and fire in.

Arteta opted to introduce Mikel Merino to the tie on the hour mark, presenting the Spaniard his return from an injury that had kept him out since January.

Palace pulled one back in the late stages when Jean-Philippe Mateta met a cross to head past Kepa. The hosts then thought they had equalised when Yeremy Pino fired in from the edge of the box, but VAR disallowed it for offside.

That was the final piece of drama as the full-time whistle soon blew to bring the curtain down on an historic season for Arsenal, which saw them crowned Premier League champions, before they were presented with the trophy.

Here are the Gunners' player ratings from their season-ending win at Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - 6.5/10 - Made a good save to deny Muñoz the opening goal. Not much else asked of him other than Mateta's consolation.

Martín Zubimendi (RB) - 7/10 - Put in a good shift out of position to give Arteta something to think about if needed for the Champions League final.

Cristhian Mosquera (CB) - 6.5/10 - Steady at the back in yet another start.

Piero Hincapié (CB) - 6.5/10 - Looked good at centre back before shifting to the left side of defence when Calafiori was withdrawn.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - 6.5/10 - Not too involved, but clearly wanted to be present in attack as he was up the pitch constantly. Brought off at half-time.

Midfielders

Christian Nørgaard (CM) - 6.5/10 - Steady in midfield on his first Arsenal start in the league. Withdrawn at the break.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (CM) - 6.5/10 - Calm and composed in midfield once again as he put in a quiet, but steady showing.

Max Dowman (AM) - 7/10 - Took a nice touch to play a part in his side's opening goal. Involved in some good play before being withdrawn on the hour mark.

Forwards

Noni Madueke (RW) - 7/10 - Played a good ball through for Jesus to latch onto in the first half. Doubled his side's lead with a well taken volley minutes after the break. Substituted late on.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 7/10 - Missed two chances to put his side in front, but didn't let a third go begging as he beat Henderson with a low effort. Taken off ahead of the closing stages.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - 7/10 - Played Jesus through on goal with a nice pass for the opener. Made a darting run to send a cross into the box for Havertz to meet, but he couldn't convert.

Substitutes

• Kai Havertz (on 46' for Nørgaard) - 7/10
• Gabriel Magalhaes (on 46' for Calafiori) - 6.5/10
• Mikel Merino (on 62' for Dowman) - 6/10
• Eberechi Eze (on 75' for Jesus) - 6/10
• Viktor Gyökeres (on 83' for Madueke) - N/A

Player of the match: Gabriel Martinelli

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