After a chaotic final 10 minutes, Arsenal managed to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at Selhurst Park on Thursday evening.
The Gunners once again demonstrated how lethal they can be going forward, as well as our fragility at the back during our victory over Palace.
Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Jack Wilshere and Alexandre Lacazette were all superb on the attack. However, apart from Shkodran Mustafi, we were shambolic in defence.
Here’s how each player got on:
Defence
Petr Cech – 6
Cech made zero saves and let in Palace’s only two shots on target.
However, the two goals Arsenal conceded were mainly the fault of our defenders.
Calum Chambers – 6
The 22-year-old started strongly but soon looked out of his depth and picked up a yellow card within 28 minutes.
He really struggled against Wilfried Zaha and proved that while he needs game time in order to improve, he might not be ready for the Premier League just yet.
In total, Chambers won six defensive fuels, two tackles and made six clearances.
Shkodran Mustafi – 7
The centre-back is going from strength-to-strength. Even though Arsenal generally still look terrible at the back, Mustafi managed to score and looked the most solid out of the three.
In total, the German made 10 (!) clearances. He also made four tackles and won eight defensive duels.
Laurent Koscielny – 6
The Frenchman struggled with his distribution and positioning at left centre-back. He was standing in for the injured Nacho Monreal but considering the 32-year-old has been off the pace this season, he didn’t look at all secure in his new role.
The defender just stood still for Andros Townsend’s equaliser in the 50th minute and failed to win more than four defensive duels and two tackles.
Next up, midfield
Midfield
Sead Kolasinac – 6
The Bosnia international didn’t have the best game against Palace. His passing was poor and he allowed Townsend to just run off and score the home side’s first goal.
He completed just 80% of his passes and generally looked a bit clumsy.
Granit Xhaka – 6.5
It wasn’t the worst performance in an Arsenal shirt from the midfielder.
As ever, his pass completion rate was high – 90% – and he had the odd shot. Three to be exact. However, he wasn’t as bad as he has been previously this season.
Jack Wilshere – 9
The midfielder linked up well with Xhaka and Ozil, and really ran the show. His assist for Alexis’ second goal was brilliant and he even had two shots himself.
The 25-year-old, who’s out of contract at the end of the season, also completed two dribbles and a tackle. He was dispossessed four times but this was probably down to being so heavily involved with the game.
He also completed 94% of his passes.
Hector Bellerin – 6
Is Bellerin broken? The right-back used to be quick and now he doesn’t even have that in his – excuse me – Arsenal.
What happened? Is he injured or did Barcelona seriously unsettle the 22-year-old this much?
The right wing-back completed just 74% of his passes and failed to make any sort of positive impact on the game. In fact, he was lucky not to help Palace score late on when he allowed Zaha to attempt a header while standing right next to Cech. Luckily, the ball hit the 25-year-old’s shoulder and bounced away.
Next up, forwards
Forwards
Mesut Ozil – 8
The playmaker didn’t stop running. He was everywhere at once, linking up with Jack and then Alexis before making runs through on goal himself. What a player.
Although he ‘only’ completed 86% of his passes, four of them were key passes. The only player who managed more (five) was Wilfried Zaha for Palace.
Alexis Sanchez – 8.5
It was good of Alexis to finally show up with just days left before the January transfer window opens.
The Chilean’s potential move to Manchester City is just around the corner and he’s obviously remembered that he has to actually be decent if he wants them to sign him.
The 29-year-old was superb against Palace. At the front and at the back. He was every bit the player we know he is. Head and shoulders above his previous performances this season.
Alexis completed just 82% of his passes but completed five dribbles – more than any other player on the pitch – and even won three tackles.
He was dispossessed seven times – also more than any other player on the pitch – but, like Jack, I imagine this was to do with constantly being involved in play…
Not that the 29-year-old is known for keeping hold of the ball or anything…
Alexandre Lacazette – 7
The striker got unlucky once or twice and appeared to be trying to set up other players, like Ozil and Alexis, more than getting in front of goal himself.
His assist for Alexis’ first goal, for example, was lovely and his hold-up play is huge for us.
Still, the 26-year-old had two shots and looked lively.
Next up, subs
Substitutes
Francis Coquelin – 5
The Frenchman had limited time on the pitch to influence play. However, he completed just 69% of his passes, won two aerial duels and was dispossessed once.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – N/A
Stats via Who Scored.