The game got off to the worst possible start for Arsenal as Jakub Kiwior miscued his header on a long ball over the top to allow Jean-Philippe Mateta in to open the scoring. Leandro Trossard's corner needed to be cleared off the line by Jefferson Lerma, while Raheem Sterling went close from a free kick, but once again the Gunners lacked spark in open play.
Arteta didn't hang around to change things though and brought on Martin Odegaard and William Saliba at half-time. Immediately the Gunners looked a threat and Sterling somehow hit the bar from a couple of yards out. Moments later though they were level when Odegaard's through ball found Gabriel Jesus who turned Maxence Lacroix before dinking beautifully over Dean Henderson.
Jesus was then the hero once again as he slammed home Bukayo Saka's through ball to put Arsenal in front. The Brazilian was on hand to grab a hat-trick roughly 10 minutes from time after being released on the counter by Odegaard once again.
There was still time for late drama though as Eddie Nketiah returned to his old club to grab one back with a superb header. Here's how **football.london** rated the Gunners individually in the game.
**David Raya:** Couldn't do a lot about either goal. Exposed by Kiwior, while Eddie Nketiah's header was superb. Swept well and played out nicely enough. **6.**
**Thomas Partey:** Can we finally admit that Partey at right back is not the answer? The Ghanaian's final third delivery was poor as he failed to offer the overlapping abilities of a traditional right back. **5.**
**Jurrien Timber:** Offered Arsenal much more balance after switching out to right back. His partnership with Kiwior lacked rhythm in the first half. **6.**
**Jakub Kiwior:** The mistake for the Mateta goal was unforgiveable even on a slippery night like this. Recovered to have a decent game but never looked fully comfortable against the Frenchman. **5.**
**Kieran Tierney:** A solid return for the Scot who was simply allowed to play his game - get out wide and whip in crosses straight away. Should have had an assist for Sterling. If this is how he bows out at the Emirates it was a good way to go. **7.**
**Jorginho:** Solid at the base of the midfield. Provided cover when needed and kept a calm head when Arsenal fell behind. **6.**
**Ethan Nwaneri:** Struggled to ever get into the game on a consistent basis before being hooked at half time. You feel for the 17-year-old because the right unit around him of Sterling and Partey was so poor. He'll bounce back and have better days. **6.**
**Mikel Merino:** Got forward into the box with far more regularity here and looked a genuine threat. One of the Spaniard's better displays since joining. **7.**
**Raheem Sterling:** Mikel Arteta has chosen to overlook Sterling when Arsenal have been chasing a goal on a few occasions. Tonight we probably saw why. Constantly out of position off the ball and lacking in quality on it. His miss from two yards out summed up the night. **5.**
**Gabriel Jesus:** What a difference a goal makes! In the first half it looked as though we were witnessing the slow death of his Arsenal career. In the second half he lived up to his name and rose again! Two superb finishes and a touch of deserved luck with the second that looked nearly offside. **8.**
**Leandro Trossard:** A mixed bag with his set piece delivery. Offered a good threat down the left hand side though. Played with real initiative. **6.**
**SUBSTITUTES -**
**Martin Odegaard:** Instant impact after coming on with a superb assist for Jesus. Played with much more directness than in recent matches. His assist for Jesus' second was impeccable too! **8.**
**William Saliba:** Gave Arsenal so much more balance after coming on and allowing Timber to go to the right hand side. Assured in possession and largely nullified Palace. **7.**
**Myles Lewis-Skelly:** An assured presence after coming off the bench for Tierney. Didn't put a foot wrong at left back in a high pressure situation. **6**
**Bukayo Saka:** A nice ball through to Jesus to set up the second goal. A real threat on the counter. His impact on the right hand side was night and day. **7.**
**Gabriel:** Came on too late for a rating. **n/a.**