GABRIEL MARTINELLI impressed for Arsenal in their EFL Cup quarter final penalty shootout win over Crystal Palace.
The Brazilian winger was immense in the first half and as a result Olivier Glasner replaced the entire right side of his team.
Noni Madueke was unable to recreate the same threat from other side during his time on the pitch.
They were both substitutes in the second half by Mikel Arteta as the manager chased a win to qualify for the semi-finals.
Christian Norgaard also put in a decent shift for the Gunners as he was given a rare opportunity to start by Arteta.
SunSport’s Simon Collings has given his ratings for the Arsenal players…
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Kepa Arrizabalaga -7
The hero in the penalty the shootout – but not in the most emphatic of ways.
Did not get near seven of Palace’s penalties, before keeping out Lacroix to send Arsenal through to the semi finals.
Jurrien Timber -6
A surprise starter given Arsenal’s injury issues in defence. Struggled early on and was guilty of a few sloppy errors.
Headed over the bar when presented with a good chance towards the end of the first half.
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William Saliba – 7
Had Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in his pocket for most of the night.
Barely put a foot wrong – but then an error towards the end led to him giving away the free-kick that Palace scored from.
Riccardo Calafiori -7
Shifted from left-back to the heart of defence in the absence of Piero Hincapie. Slotted in well and looked comfortable in possession.
Wasted a good chance in the first half, though, when he fired over from a corner.
Myles Lewis-Skelly -6
Slipped down the pecking order this season, but has been a regular in the Carabao Cup.
Got forward whenever he could with a few marauding runs. Had an easy night against former Arsenal man Eddie Nketiah
Mikel Merino – 6
Captain for the night as Arteta made eight changes. Typically solid out of possession, but lacked a real threat on the ball.
Arsenal’s best attacking moments came from out wide.
Christian Norgaard – 8
Handed just his fifth start since moving to Arsenal in the summer.
Put in one of his best performances at the base of midfield. Snapped into tackles, and was neat and tidy on the ball.
Eberechi Eze – 6
Scored against his old club back in October, but was quiet this time out. Other than his brilliant performance against
Tottenham in the North London derby, he is yet to really get going for Arsenal.
Noni Madueke – 5
Somehow failed to find the net in the first half, despite having a string of good chances.
Kept plugging away, but his end product was lacking.
Gabriel Jesus – 7
Back in the starting XI for the first time in 345 days. Linked the play well and combined nicely with Martinelli.
Denied a goal thanks to two stunning saves by Walter Benitez in either half. A promising performance.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
An electric display, especially in the first half – when he created five chances.
Terrorised Jaydee Canvot so much so that the Palace wing-back was hooked at half time.
Martinelli was taken off just before the hour mark after he failed to shake off a heavy tackle towards the end of the first half.
SUBS:
Leandro Trossard (Martinelli 59’) – 5
Got some stick from the Palace fans, given his Brighton links.
Took a while to get into the game and was caught on the ball soon after coming on. Stuck his penalty during the shootout in the top corner, at least.
Martin Odegaard (Eze 67’) – 6
Lifted the tempo as Arsenal tried to turn the screw.
The odd bright moment as he linked up with Saka. Slotted his penalty in the shootout.
Bukayo Saka (Madueke 67’) – 6
Part of a double sub by Arteta as Arsenal hunted for a goal.
Swung in the corner that was eventually turned home by Lacroix, and scored his penalty by sending the keeper the wrong way.
Declan Rice (Jesus 85’) – 5
On for the final moments as the Gunners tried – and failed – to see out the game. Smashed home his penalty in the shootout.
