Crystal Palace vs Arsenal FC Player Ratings – Welbeck MOTM
David Ospina – 7
The Colombian seemed generally solid but got lucky in the end with help from the post. Definitely now confirmed as our most talented keeper
Nacho Monreal – 7
Had a lot of work to do to keep Saha at bay – Mostly successful. Did his work quietly but effectively
Per Mertesacker – 7.5
Seemed more relaxed than usual and made use of his height when necessary. He is SO much better playing alongside Kos.
Laurent Koscielny – 7.5
Hard-working as usual. Showed no effects from his injury but a few mistakes were worrying. He marshalled the defence well
Calum Chambers – 6.5
He still looks much more comfortable as a centre-back, but was sometimes effective going forward as well.
Francis Coquelin – 6.5
Was as tough as usual but was constrained in second half as had to avoid a second yellow card Perhaps he should have been replaced?
Santi Cazorla – 8
A usual excellent performance from the Spaniard and his 8th penalty of the season was perfectly executed
Mesut Ozil – 7
Not a bad game but not quite up to Cazorla’s class. Didn’t look terribly comfortable on the slippery surface.
Danny Welbeck – 8.5 MOTM
Has been excellent since coming back from injury and basically made both our goals. He can’t be dropped while in this form, although he was probably a bit tired from his exertions when Gibbs replaced him
Alexis Sanchez – 7
A livewire as usual but couldn’t get much of the ball due to Palace’s pressing game. Unusually missed the chance to put us 3-0 up…
Olivier Giroud – 7.5
Was in the right place for his poachers goal, and made a good showing when needed to defend. He had four shots in total and won the most headers in the match. His 50th goal for the club was the icing on the cake.
SUBS:
Gabriel – N/A
Tactical substitution in the dying minutes
Tomas Rosicky – N/A
Had 15 mins but Arsenal were defending most of the time.
Kieran Gibbs – 5
Another tactical sub to shore up the defence, but the onslaught kept coming!