Arsenal missed out on the chance to return to the Premier League’s top four after a humbling defeat against Crystal Palace.
The Gunners went into the match looking to respond after Tottenham leapfrogged them into fourth on Sunday.
Arsenal knew that a point would put them back in the top four, but Mikel Arteta’s side slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Selhurst Park after a poor performance.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta opened the scoring and Jordan Ayew doubled Palace’s lead, before Wilfried Zaha wrapped up the win in the second-half with a penalty.
Simon Collings was at Selhurst Park to run the rule over Arsenal...
Aaron Ramsdale 5
Back in the side after injury but he had a night to forget. Not much he could do about the goals, but his passing was sloppy.
Cedric 5
Had a tough first-half up against Zaha, who caused him problems. Did a bit better after the break, but was taken off as Arteta threw on another forward.
Ben White 5
Marginally better than his centre-back partner, but not by much at all. Gave away a needless free-kick for Palace’s opening goal.
Gabriel 4
The Brazilian has been a rock this season but this must go down as one of his worst performances. Was all over the place, particularly for Palace’s second goal.
Nuno Tavares 4
A chastening night for the left-back, who was hooked at half-time after a poor performance. This was his first start since Nottingham Forest in January, when he was taken off after 35 minutes.
Martin Odegaard 4
It is very rare the Norwegian is this off it, but he really struggled tonight. Uncharacteristically poor in possession and missed a good chance to score in the second-half too. Gave away a penalty to top it all off.
Thomas Partey 4
The midfielder has been excellent recently, however he was really poor at Selhurst Park. So sloppy in possession.
Granit Xhaka 6
Probably one of Arsenal’s better players, although that it is not much to shout about. Filled in at left-back and then played in back-three too.
Bukayo Saka 5
Tried to make things happen with a few runs cutting in from the right. Had a penalty shout waved away in the second-half.
Alexandre Lacazette 4
Barely had a sniff all night and summed up Arsenal’s blunt attack. Spent nearly the whole game feeding off scraps.
Emile Smith Rowe 5
Like so many Arsenal players he just wasn’t quite at the races. Missed a good chance in the second-half that he will have expected to score.
Substitutions
Gabriel Martinelli (Nuno 45’) 6
The only Arsenal player to really come out of this with any credit. Finally added some pace and directness to Arsenal’s attack.
Eddie Nketiah (Cedric 65’) 6
Not a bad little cameo from the striker, who has been linked with a move to Palace. Setup a great chance for Odegaard and hit the post too.
Albert Sambi Lokonga (Partey 74’) N/A
