PLAYER RATINGS: It's a stunning game for the Gabriels but three Arsenal attacking talents go quiet... and Roy Hodgson shares a rating with five flops on his side
- Arsenal dominated Crystal Palace with a 5-0 win at the Emirates on Saturday
- Mikel Arteta's side now sit just two points behind league leaders Liverpool
- Ivan Toney is ambitious and wants to win titles... you can't begrudge him that! It's All Kicking Off
After a faltering run of form Arsenal entered Saturday's clash at the Emirates needing a big result to restart their momentum.
And against Crystal Palace, they got it.
The Gunners have struggled for goals relative to their title rivals this season, but against Palace their clinical efficiency returned with a thrashing that has left them just two points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Gabriel gave his side the lead after just 11 minutes, before forcing Dean Henderson to turn the ball into his own net to double their advantage before the break.
In the second half Leandro Trossard ended his own dry spell in front of goal to make it 3-0 before Gabriel Martinelli netted a late brace from the bench to cap off a ruthless from the Gunners.
Mail Sport's Isaan Khan has rated the two sides - here is how they have fared...
![Arsenal returned to form with a 5-0 thrashing of a hapless Crystal Palace at the Emirates](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/20/14/80255313-0-image-a-97_1705761774527.jpg)
Arsenal returned to form with a 5-0 thrashing of a hapless Crystal Palace at the Emirates
ARSENAL (4-3-3):
David Raya – 7
Kept a clean-sheet and was fast in distribution at the back. Gave the ball away to Jefferson Lerma after 33 minutes, but recovered well to save. Great work to put Gabriel Jesus through to assist Leandro Trossard.
Ben White – 7.5
Impressed in the attacking third. Looked to play his team-mates through where possible. Was also solid in defence.
William Saliba – 7.5
Marshalled the backline in an astute manner to keep the Palace attack at bay.
Gabriel – 9
Two goals from set-pieces and aggressively physical throughout. A leading performance.
![Gabriel was star man for the hosts, typically solid in defence and instrumental in first two goals](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/20/14/80255297-0-image-a-96_1705761731422.jpg)
Gabriel was star man for the hosts, typically solid in defence and instrumental in first two goals
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7.5
Caused the opposition real problems in midfield, overloading that area as an extra man. Played a couple of eye-catching through balls.
Martin Odegaard – 6
A quiet game overall. Did not leave the mark a player of his quality should have.
Declan Rice- 7
Good corner for Gabriel’s first goal. Cleaned up well on Palace forays forward.
Kai Havertz – 6
Purposely fell over in the box looking for a foul on 24 minutes and went missing in periods. Linked up play nicely on occasion in the second half.
Bukayo Saka – 6
A quiet game by the impressive winger’s high standards.
![Declan Rice produced a solid performance from centre midfield before being substituted](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/20/14/80255341-0-image-a-98_1705761846373.jpg)
Declan Rice produced a solid performance from centre midfield before being substituted
Gabriel Jesus – 7
Lively in attack. Great break to set-up Trossard.
Leandro Trossard – 7
A quiet first half but got a goal in the second period, which will have done his confidence a world of good.
Substitutes:
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
Did not waste time on getting on the ball, keeping the crowd on their feet as he peppered the opposition box with darting runs. Even nabbed two goals.
Emile Smith Rowe – 6.5
His appearance on 69 minutes raised a big cheer from the home faithful. Added a sense of urgency in that left-midfield role.
![Leandro Trossard will be pleased after ending goal scoring drought with a second-half strike](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/20/14/80255349-0-image-a-99_1705761961024.jpg)
Leandro Trossard will be pleased after ending goal scoring drought with a second-half strike
![Emile Smith-Rowe's introduction as a second-half substitute drew a raucous reception from the Gunners faithful](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/20/14/80255357-0-image-a-100_1705761997188.jpg)
Emile Smith-Rowe's introduction as a second-half substitute drew a raucous reception from the Gunners faithful
Jorginho – 6.5
A nice run out for the midfielder.
Eddie Nketiah – N/A
Jakub Kiwior – N/A
Manager: Mikel Arteta – 7.5
Five goals, a win and rotated his team in the second half. A good day’s work.
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-3-3):
Dean Henderson – 5
Ballooned the ball away a couple of times under pressure. Under the cosh from Gabriel on the corner kicks which he conceded but they were not his fault.
![Dean Henderson was in the thick of it as Arsenal ran rampant and was punished for errant passing](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/20/14/80255385-0-image-a-101_1705762124231.jpg)
Dean Henderson was in the thick of it as Arsenal ran rampant and was punished for errant passing
Nathaniel Clyne – 5
Struggled to get the ball in the box going forward. Lots of Arsenal’s first-half joy went down his flank.
Joachim Andersen – 5
Did not have the presence at the back to deter the opposition aerially.
Marc Guehi – 5.5
Showed leadership in defence, which is why he will be disappointed to have left with five goals conceded.
Tyrick Mitchell – 6
Shone in the Palace backline. A big reason as to why Saka was limited in driving forward towards goal.
Jefferson Lerma – 6.5
Consistently tried to make things happen in attack. Nice strike on 33 minutes after Raya’s error. Helped out defensively, too.
![Jefferson Lerma's performance proved a slight consolation for the visitors, with the Colombian a consistent nuisance](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/20/14/80255395-0-image-a-102_1705762160051.jpg)
Jefferson Lerma's performance proved a slight consolation for the visitors, with the Colombian a consistent nuisance
Chris Richards – 5
Bullied by Gabriel on the two corner-kicks which resulted in conceding goals.
Ebere Eze – 5.5
Unable to sufficiently test Raya on the whole.
Will Hughes – 5
No real moments of note. Will be disappointed.
Jean-Philippe Mateta – 6
Was up for this game. Used his physicality as best he could and kept trying to close Raya down.
Jeffrey Schlupp – 5.5
Could not get in front of goal or provide the needed service.
![Jeffrey Schlupp suffered due to a lack of service and was unable to have an impact on the game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/20/14/80255401-0-image-a-103_1705762199324.jpg)
Jeffrey Schlupp suffered due to a lack of service and was unable to have an impact on the game
Substitutes:
David Ozoh – 5.5
A short cameo with the game already gone.
Matheus Franca – N/A
Naouirou Ahamada – N/A
James Tomkins – N/A
![The afternoon will be one to forget for Roy Hodgson as pressure continues to build on him](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/20/14/80255405-0-image-a-104_1705762240156.jpg)
The afternoon will be one to forget for Roy Hodgson as pressure continues to build on him
Manager: Roy Hodgson – 5
His Palace looked on the ropes from the conceding the first goal and lacked adaptability. Under much pressure.
Referee: Paul Tierney – 6.5
Had a good handle on the game.
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