Arsenal's best and worst players in narrow win over Crystal Palace

Arsenal's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace under the Selhurst Park lights was a huge boost for Mikel Arteta and his side.

The trip to south London is never an easy one to make, but Martin Odegaard's second half penalty ensured Arsenal walked away from the game with their 100% winning record still in tact - it's early stages of the season but there's no disputing the importance of early momentum.

In truth, Arsenal should perhaps have put the game beyond Palace before a second-half red card for Takehiro Tomiyasu forced the Gunners into a more conservative, lead preserving mode. Eddie Nketiah missed a couple of glorious chances in the opening 45, though it also wasn't as if Arsenal punished Palace into submission.

There were plenty of positives to take away from the game, as well as some negatives, and there was a clear definition between Arsenal's best and worst players on the night.

Arsenal's best player vs Crystal Palace

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal's captain was not only the match winner but he was also their best player on the night.

It was the kind of display we've come to expect from the Norwegian, completing 32 out of the 35 passes he attempted and coming out on top of four ground duels. But statistics aside, it was Odegaard's movement, knowledge of where to be and when to be there that helped Arsenal negate any threat Palace may have offered.

He oozed class in the important moments of the game and provided the energy when Arsenal needed to raise their level. In terms of the penalty, Odegaard was coolness personified, sending Sam Johnstone the wrong way as he buried the ball neatly into the bottom right corner.

15 Premier League goals was an insight into what Odegaard can offer from midfield, and there's every chance he could replicate those figures if he maintains such a high level.

90min rating: 8/10

Honourable mention - Declan Rice

Odegaard's performance was complemented by Declan Rice's best performance in an Arsenal shirt.

There's huge pressure on Rice to deliver because of his £105m transfer fee, and this was the first time that he's really been able to stamp his authority on a game. Decisive in everything he did, the 24-year-old saw plenty of the ball as Arsenal took a stranglehold of possession, and it's clear that he has more licence to roam forward under Mikel Arteta.

His distinct to drive between the lines helped fashion a clear-cut chance for Eddie Nketiah in the first half, and he balanced the need for progressive passing with the need to slow the game down and keep things ticking at Arsenal's pace.

There's more to come, that's for sure, but this was very encouraging for Rice and Arsenal's supporters.

90min rating: 8/10

Arsenal's worst player vs Crystal Palace

Takehiro Tomiyasu

From a purely defensive standpoint, Takehiro Tomiyasu actually didn't have a bad game for Arsenal.

The Japanese international recovered the ball six times, maintained the Gunners' defensive shape, and generally looked up to speed after coming into the side at the expense of the injured Jurrien Timber.

But things took a turn for the worse in the second half when Tomiyasu, perhaps unfairly, was cautioned for time wasting at a throw-in - David Coote deciding he should be booked for holding onto the ball for eight seconds on the sidelines.

Not long after he was responsible for getting the wrong side of Jordan Ayew, and although the contact with Palace's forward was minimal, he gave the referee a decision to make. Any hands around the waist, no matter the force, is always likely to result in a yellow card when the opposition are attempting to counter. The subsequent red card put Arsenal in a hole but they managed to dig deep.

90min rating: 4/10

Dishonourable mention - Aaron Ramsdale

David Raya's arrival at Arsenal to serve as Aaron Ramsdale's understudy caught many people by surprise - largely because there's a feeling that Raya is too good to be a number two.

Arteta clearly feels differently, believing the competition for places will drive Ramsdale on to bigger and better things while ensuring Arsenal are covered for all eventualities.

At Selhurst Park, there were hints of nervousness in Ramsdale's display, with his composure and passing accuracy not at the level we've become accustomed to seeing. Indeed, every long ball that Ramsdale attempted resulted in a loss of possession for Arsenal, something that Arteta would like to avoid at all costs.

He made a couple of saves as Palace failed to really threaten but his evolution over the coming weeks will make for interesting viewing.

90min rating: 6/10

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