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Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Pepe stars as VAR controversy looms over Gunners
Arsenal faced Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in a top-half of the table Premier League clash. Express Sport brings you all of the Gunners’ player ratings as Unai Emery’s side were made to work for their draw.
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Arsenal drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Both Arsenal goals came from Nicholas Pepe corners, as the Ivory Coast international starred for the Gunners.
Sokratis found himself in the right place, at the right time to slam the first goal home, before David Luiz doubled the lead.
Wilfried Zaha was booked for diving in the first-half, but the decision was overturned by VAR and a penalty was awarded, which Luka Milivojevic scoring the resulting penalty.
Jordan Ayew scored the equaliser after a terrific cross by James McArthur.
Sokratis thought that he'd won the match in the final minutes, but VAR disallowed the goal.
Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Chambers shambolic but Pepe stars in lively draw
GK: Bernd Leno - 7
Despite conceding twice, the goalkeeper had a very good game. A quick-fire save from McArthur was needed in the first half, and was followed by a great save from Van Aanholt.
DR: Callum Chambers - 2
Dreadful evening for the right-back, after giving away the penalty for leaving a dangling leg out. Also managed to put a cross out for a goal-kick when the Gunners were in a good position.
DC: Sokratis Papastathopoulos - 7
A decent evening’s work for Sokratis which saw him score the first goal of the match. Made a number of good tackles, and should’ve been awarded the winning goal.
DC: David Luiz - 6
Managed to get on the scoresheet in the first-half, and put in a solid performance. Nothing superb, but a decent effort from the Brazilian.
DL: Kieran Tierney - 6
Made a few good, attacking runs. Not quite as lively as previous cup appearances.
CM: Granit Xhaka - 4
Should have done better to prevent McArthur’s cross for the second goal. Managed to infuriate Arsenal fans while being substituted.
CM: Matteo Guendouzi - 6
Quieter match by the youngster’s standards… Until the final minute. Rugby-tackled Zaha to stop a clear goalscoring opportunity, and somehow avoided a red card. Tactical foul?
CM: Dani Ceballos - 6
A couple of very good runs from the Spaniard, but didn’t really take the game by the scruff of the neck.
RW: Nicolas Pepe - 8
A very good match for Pepe, with both of Arsenal’s goals coming from his corners. Narrowly missed a free-kick that would have been the winner.
ST: Alexandre Lacazette - 7
The Frenchman was always hanging around the Palace box and was a nuisance throughout. A good performance.
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 6
Never got a chance to leave his footprint on the match, but was given the chance to use his blistering pace in the second-half, when the game became increasingly stretched.