Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal: Match Reaction & Player Ratings

Arsenal made this Monday night truly exceptional by breaking the longstanding Monday night curse. In a remarkable turn of events, we secured a victory on Monday night, finally ending the streak. Our triumph came against Crystal Palace, with a score of one-nil at Selhurst Park. The winning goal was delivered by Martin Ødegaard, who expertly broke the deadlock from a penalty kick. This penalty was awarded after Eddie Nketiah was fouled by the opposing goalkeeper. Unfortunately, the game also saw us on the receiving end of some questionable refereeing decisions, which cast a shadow over the match.

The match itself was a tale of two halves. The first half left much to be desired, with an overall subpar performance. However, the second half showcased a significant improvement in our gameplay. It’s worth noting that Crystal Palace proved to be a formidable defensive team, presenting challenges that many opponents will likely face throughout the year.

In summary, Arsenal’s victory on this particular Monday night marked a special moment, as we overcame the Monday night curse. The game against Crystal Palace highlighted our resilience and determination, with a well-deserved win despite some contentious refereeing decisions. The match’s contrasting halves demonstrated our ability to adapt and perform, even against defensively strong teams like Crystal Palace.

Check out the rest of the match reaction on my YouTube: Egal Talks Football – Link here https://youtube.com/live/Yq_SBC-et0w

Now time for the player ratings!

Mikel Arteta’s decision-making was on point, earning an 8 rating, especially after we were reduced to 10 men. He effectively closed up shop and maintained control of the game’s tempo.

Ramsdale also performed admirably, garnering a 7 rating. While the workload lessened after our team was down to 10 players, he remained vigilant and made crucial saves when needed.

Thomas Partey displayed a solid performance, meriting a 7 rating. However, I have reservations about his role as a right back when pushing forward.

Ben White, given a score of 7, held his ground well against Crystal Palace. Nonetheless, there are lingering doubts about his suitability as a center-back who ventures into overlapping positions.

William Saliba gets an 8.5. My man of the match and last-ditch tackle, saved us defensively. He was a one-man mountain today with 8 clearances – wow.

Tomiyasu with a 4 (Disgrace of a red card though)

Declan Rice was truly exceptional, earning a well-deserved 8.5 rating for his performance today. He excelled in every aspect of the game and exhibited continuous improvement as the match progressed. Undoubtedly, he stood out as one of our top players on the field.

Kai Havertz, often made the scapegoat due to his positioning as a striker, showcased a commendable performance, earning a solid 7 out of 10. It’s important to recognize that his natural role is that of a midfielder. He contributed effectively both defensively and offensively, maintaining his position well while also creating opportunities. People should refrain from solely judging him based on goals and assists and instead, focus on observing his overall game.

Martin Ødegaard, with a rating of 7.5, was a prominent presence throughout the match. Aside from his successful penalty goal and a few standout moments, he appeared to blend in with the rest of the midfield.

Bukayo Saka, now recognized as Mr. Consistent, has achieved a record for the most consecutive Premier League appearances for Arsenal. In this game, however, he earned a 6.5. While he exhibited strength defensively, his attacking performance fell short of expectations.

Gabriel Martinelli’s clever play that led to the penalty deserved recognition, though his overall performance merited a 6.

Eddie Nketiah, who sought a penalty due to a challenging first half, managed a score of 6. His performance could be considered fortunate.

Gabriel, Jorginho, Zinchenko, and Kiwior were introduced into the game rather late, making it difficult to provide a meaningful rating for their contributions.