Player ratings

Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Brilliant Bukayo Saka sends Premier League leaders EIGHT points clear!

Mark Doyle
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Bukayo Saka point Arsenal Crystal Palace Premier League 2022-23
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The in-form England winger scored twice, while Gabriel Martinelli and Granit Xhaka were also on target at the Emirates

Arsenal opened up a commanding eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League with an ultimately comfortable 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for the Gunners, producing a fine left-footed finish after pouncing on a low cross from Bukayo Saka.

The latter doubled the hosts' advantage after a clever and perfectly-weighted pass from Ben White had opened up the Palace defence.

Granit Xhaka latched onto a ball from Leandro Trossard to make it 3-0 early in the second half and although the manager-less visitors pulled one back through Jeffrey Schlupp, Saka struck again to seal victory.

Below, GOAL rates the Arsenal players on show at the Emirates...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Aaron Ramsdale (6/10): Produced a couple of decent saves in the first half and there was nothing he could have done about the Palace goal.

    Ben White (8/10): An absolutely fantastic outlet down the right-hand side. Indeed, it came as no surprise at all to see him involved in the first two goals. Such a versatile and impressive defender. Got a great reception when he came off late on.

    Rob Holding (7/10): Deputised well for William Saliba, winning plenty of duels for his side and making several timely clearances.

    Gabriel Magalhaes (6/10): Not as impressive as Holding, made the odd error, but was solid enough and passed the ball well.

    Oleksandr Zinchenko (6/10): Always looking to get on the ball and make something happen but this wasn't his most influential game. Taken off after 65 minutes for a well-earned rest.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Martin Odegaard (7/10): Always a threat whenever the ball arrived at his feet on the edge of the area but not quite at his brilliant best.

    Thomas Partey (7/10): Allowed Arsenal to control the game with his efficient distribution of the ball, as well as his impressive ability to win it back.

    Granit Xhaka (8/10): Another dynamic display from the Swiss, who has been one of Arsenal's players of the season. His well-taken goal was just reward for his endeavour in midfield.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Bukayo Saka (8/10): A constant threat in the Palace area. It was his cross which led to Martinelli breaking the deadlock while he finished neatly himself after being slipped in on goal by White, with whom he combined well throughout. Killed the game as a contest with another good strike from Kieran Tierney's cutback.

    Leandro Trossard (7/10): Didn't get among the goals before being replaced by Gabriel Jesus but was lively in attack, teeing up Xhaka for his goal with a fine through-ball.

    Gabriel Martinelli (8/10): Maintained his scintillating return to form with another terrific finish, this time after turning past one defender before rifling home.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Gabriel Jesus (6/10): Came on midway through the second half for his first Premier League appearance since before the World Cup and was full of energy, but looked understandably rusty.

    Kieran Tierney (7/10): Replaced Zinchenko at left-back shortly after the hour mark and made an almost immediate impact with an assist for Saka.

    Jorginho (N/A): Only came on for the last 10 minutes.

    Emile Smith Rowe (N/A): Introduced alongside Jorginho.

    Jakob Kiwior (N/A): Took over in defence from Gabriel Magalhaes for the final five minutes.

    Mikel Arteta (7/10): It may have been a routine win in the end but Arteta was as animated as ever on the sidelines. The changes he made to his starting line-up ensured that there would be no hangover from Thursday's shock Europa League exit. He'll be disappointed with the concession of a goal from a set-piece, though...