Arsenal can never make it easy for themselves.
Mikel Arteta's side played host to Crystal Palace in the quarter-final of the League Cup on Tuesday night, with victory separating them from a two-legged semi-final with Chelsea.
However, while they looked likely to win by a wide margin in the first half, the North Londoners ended up needing penalties to get the job done.
arsenal
It was a truly unusual game: while several Arsenal players put in commendable performances, a few let themselves down, including one who was even worse than the under-fire Eberechi Eze.
Arsenal's best performers vs Crystal Palace
Now, while it did almost end very badly for Arsenal, and there were a few players who let themselves down, it's also true that the hosts were undoubtedly the better side.
martinelli
One of the starters who played a massive role in the Gunners' early dominance was Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian winger rolled back the years in the first 45 minutes and looked like the dynamic game-changer who took the Premier League by storm in the 22/23 season.
Before coming off for Leandro Trossard, the 24-year-old completed three dribbles, created two big chances, played five key passes and had his opposite number on toast.
There is a strong argument to be made that he was as good as the man of the match, who happened to be William Saliba.
Martinelli vs Palace
Minutes
Shots
Big Chances Created
Key Passes
Successful Dribbles
Ball Recoveries
Dribbled Past
All Stats via Sofascore
The Frenchman was brilliant on the night, constantly stepping into midfield to help with the build-up, and by the time the full whistle went, he had taken 97 touches and played 83 passes.
Moreover, while he didn't score the goal, he played his role in it by moving one of the Palace players out of the way in the chaos preceding it.
The last two positives came in Christian Norgaard and Gabriel Jesus.
The former looked assured at the base of midfield, and while the latter was wasteful in the penalty area, he linked play brilliantly out of it.
Arsenal
However, while there were positives to take from Tuesday night for Arsenal, there were also a few negatives, including Eze and someone who was even more ineffective.
Arsenal's biggest underperformer vs Crystal Palace
Now, while he certainly wasn't terrible on Tuesday night, Eze was once again fairly underwhelming.
With Martinelli out on the left, Arteta opted to start the former Palace star in attacking midfield against his former club, and while the intent to make something happen was there, the execution was not.
It was another performance that left fans with the feeling that the 27-year-old is not someone who can run games from midfield, which doesn't bode well for his game time, considering Martin Odegaard is back fit.
eze
Unsurprisingly, the watching press were somewhat indifferent in their appraisals, with londonworld's Toby Bryant awarding him just a 6/10 match rating at full-time.
However, there was another attacking player who left an even worse impression: Noni Madueke.
Bryant awarded the Englishman a 5/10 match rating, and while that might sound harsh, it really isn't.
Sure, the former Chelsea man showed plenty of attacking intent and should be applauded for trying to make things happen, but time and time again against the Eagles, his moves led to nothing.
Madueke vs Palace
Minutes
Shots
Goals
Big Chances Missed
Dribbles
Touches
Lost Possession
Crosses (Accurate)
Accurate Passes
Duels (Won)
All Stats via Sofascore
For example, in his 67 minutes of action, he completed just one dribble, misplaced 50% of his crosses, completed just 14 passes, lost the ball 14 times, and the fact that he took five shots without scoring a goal is a problem in and of itself.
Worse yet, Bukayo Saka replaced him and then went on to deliver 100% of his crosses and play three key passes in no time at all.
madueke
Ultimately, all that matters is that Arsenal are now in the semi-finals of the League Cup, although based on Tuesday night, Arteta should probably drop Eze and Madueke.
gyokeres Related
[Gyokeres would love him: Arsenal hold talks to sign "world-class superstar"](https://www.footballfancast.com/hed-get-gyokeres-firing-arsenal-hold-talks-for-rodrygo/ "Gyokeres would love him: Arsenal hold talks to sign "world-class superstar"")
The incredible world-class attacker would be an excellent signing for Arsenal, especially for Gyokeres.