Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace Player Ratings

10:51pm on Thursday 14th January 2021
By Stefan Bienkowski

Arsenal’s unbeaten run stretched to five games on Thursday evening when Mikel Arteta’s side were held to a hardfought 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace.

In a match with very few clear-cut chances but plenty of action and drama, Arsenal pushed and pushed for a late winner but were forced to share the points with a Palace side that have now drawn four of their last eight games.

Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats

So who were the best and worst players on the pitch?

✔️ GOOD PERFORMANCE

Granit Xhaka: 8.1

Sometimes a bit of criticism is all a player really needs. It seemed as though Granit Xhaka’s days at Arsenal were numbered when he was sent off against Burnley in the midst of the club’s poor run of form, but since he’s returned the central midfielder has proven to be an exceptional leader in the middle of the park. Against Crystal Palace, the Swiss international once again showed what he can do at his very best.

In a chaotic, end-to-end match, Xhaka made more recoveries than any outfield player in an Arsenal top, as well as making more passes and touches of the ball than any player from both sides.

It was Xhaka who was constantly intercepting, tackling and shouldering opposing players off the ball and then quickly turning possession into a counter attack.

Vicente Guaita: 7.9

While Palace did well to defend as a team against everything Arsenal threw at them over the course of the night, Roy Hodgson's side still had to rely upon the expertise of their goalkeeper, Vicente Guaita.

The Spaniard was constantly called into action throughout the match, making no less than four big saves over the course of the night, whilst also getting a hand to any of the numerous crosses and set-pieces that Arsenal flung into the box.

❌ BAD PERFORMANCE

Alexandre Lacazette: 5.5

With five goals and an assist in his last six games ahead of Thursday’s clash, it seemed certain that Alexandre Lacazette would go into the clash with a struggling Crystal Palace side eager to keep his run going. However, that simply wasn’t the case.

As Arsenal huffed and puffed to create chances, the French striker failed to find space to receive the ball. His three touches of the ball in the opposing box was more than half that of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and even right-back Hector Bellerin had more.

Without a single shot on or off target, Arteta was forced to pull the 29-year-old striker off in favour of the young and seemingly more eager Eddie Nketiah.

Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats