GABRIEL MAGALHAES rescued Arsenal at both ends of the pitch in their win over Crystal Palace.
The Gunners edged out the Eagles at the Emirates 1-0 thanks to Eberechi Eze’s first goal for the club,
The midfielder did not celebrate his maiden strike for the North London side out of respect for his former employers.
The real hero was Gabriel who was key in protecting the hosts’ lead from Palace.
However, Martin Zubimendi will be hoping his outing was just a blip after a difficult afternoon.
Here is how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Arsenal display...
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DAVID RAYA – 6/10
After a few games of twiddling his thumbs not needing to make a save, the Spaniard was finally called into action with a few testing moments.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 7
Whisper it quietly, but the Italian Stallion appears to be maturing in his approach, and this Arsenal team is benefiting as a result.
Usually rampaging all over the pitch and often caught out of position, Calafiori is looking far more like a traditional left-back, and a very good one at that too.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 5
Bullied early on by Mateta, and that doesn’t happen often to the towering French defender, while his passing and decision-making was way off.
Perhaps it was down to a knock or illness, because he was weirdly subbed off at half-time.
GABRIEL – 8
While others around him were struggling for rhythm, the Brazilian came to the rescue on several occasions with vital interceptions and blocks.
And no surprise to be involved in another goal from a set-piece, brilliantly heading back into space for Eze to fire home the opener, as well as hitting the bar with a header of his own after the break.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
So dependable, so reliable, so solid. There’s a reason he is now considered the best right-back in the Prem right now. He can do it all.
MARTIN ZUBIMENDI – 4
Not sure he will put in a poorer display than this one in his Arsenal career.
So many sloppy passes and a few that gifted Palace some chances on the counter that could have been costly.
DECLAN RICE – 6
Wasn’t really involved until his free-kick resulted in Eze’s well-placed volley.
Threw himself about a bit more after that with a shot brilliantly saved on the line by Henderson.
Arteta has claimed Rice is close to becoming a “complete player”, but he needs to be influencing games far more than he is doing currently to claim that tag.
EBERECHI EZE – 8
Was one of the few Arsenal players driving forward with the ball into space, willing to take on defenders, even if some of his stray passes put his side into a spot of bother.
He got his reward with a beautifully-timed volley against his old club.
No celebration but he will be buzzing inside to be getting some momentum in an Arsenal shirt.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Poked across the face of goal after a brilliant looped pass into the box by Gabriel that should have been tapped in for an assist for the Belgian.
Spent a lot of time running into dead ends and coughing up possession.
Lucky to stay on for as long as he did.
BUKAYO SAKA – 6
Strangely quiet and ineffective for large parts.
One curling effort from outside the box that whistled wide in the second half was as good as it got.
A few raised eyebrows when he was brought off for Martinelli, but he cannot have too many complaints.
VIKTOR GYOKERES – 6
The big Swede is only as good as his service, and he had barely any scraps to gnaw at, but was still appreciated by the home fans for his tireless hold-up play and lung-busting pressing.
Arsenal need to produce more for him, but Gyokeres also needs to be able to create something out of very little in games like this.
SUBS:
CRISTHIAN MOSQUERA (SALIBA, 45) – 6
Said it once and I’ll say it again – he’s the best back-up centre back in Europe right now.
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The biggest compliment you can give him is that Saliba’s absence was barely even noticed.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI (SAKA, 64) – 6
Positioned in an unnatural position out on the right and never really got into his flow.
PIERO HINCAPIE (CALAFIORI, 82) – N/A
MIKEL MERINO (RICE, 82) – N/A
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY (EZE, 87) – N/A
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