Arsenal player ratings: Leandro Trossard passes PSG audition but everything Raheem Sterling does is negative and tepid

ARSENAL held up Liverpool’s inevitable title celebrations with a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at the Emirates. Liverpool knew a Palace win would hand them the title without having to kick a ball, but Arne Slot‘s side only need to avoid defeat against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday. ReutersJean-Philippe Mateta scored an unbelievable equaliser[/caption] GettyJakub Kiwior opened the scoring for the Gunners inside three minutes[/caption] APChelsea loanee Raheem Sterling struggled against Palace[/caption] Jakub Kiwior – who has stepped up in recent weeks after the season-ending injury to Gabriel – scored his first goal of the season with an incredible 10-yard header to give Arsenal the lead inside three minutes. Both sides looked cagey with upcoming chances to win external silverware- Arsenal with a Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain next Tuesday and Palace facing Aston Villa in the FA Cup semis on Sunday. Eberechi Eze levelled with a super strike, before Leandro Trossard put the Gunners back in front before half-time. But Palace ended up giving Liverpool’s players and staff – watching the game all together from a Merseyside hotel – some reason to believe. William Saliba’s heavy touch was pounced upon by Jean-Philippe Mateta, who sensationally lobbed David Raya with a brilliant finish, after being subbed on just three minutes before. Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners from the Emirates. Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates DAVID RAYA – 6/10 After being able to snooze his way through the 4-0 win at Ipswich, the Spaniard was put under far more pressure here with several dangerous crosses into his cross early on. He did not deal with them all that well, flapping at a few. He was then nearly chipped from 35 yards out after his poor pass to Adam Wharton was hit first time only to be blocked. A vital touch on the hour mark was gladly received, tipping it away at the far post to stop two Palace players from heading in, and another sharp stop from a flicked corner. But then with eight minutes left, his bizarre positioning allowed Mateta to capitalise on an error and chip in off the bar into an empty net. SIMPLY SUBLIME FROM MATETA! pic.twitter.com/01YNTJ6d54— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 23, 2025 MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7 Seems to cruise through games right now without a care in the world, spending more time as a midfielder than a left-back. He appears to have also mastered the art of winning a foul at the age of just 18, halting Palace momentum on numerous occasions when the side needed a breather. Shout out to one brilliant moment when he managed to bump the giant that is Mateta off the ball, getting a huge roar from the home fans. WILLIAM SALIBA – 6 At times looked like his cool, calm and majestic self, but showed rare signs of fragility with the speed of Eze and the trickery of Eddie Nketiah to contend with. Set-pieces also proved a problem for Saliba – and the entire back four in fairness. And then, a real costly, dithering error that put Martin Odegaard in all sorts of trouble against Mateta, who then nicked the ball and brought the scores level. A rare off night, even if he did make a great block to stop Ismaila Sarr flicking in an injury-time winner. JAKUB KIWIOR – 8 Manners maketh the man, and minutes maketh the player. Kiwior has been crying out for several games on the spin in his favoured position of centre back to really build up a head of steam. In the past, he has been used sparingly and shunted out to full-back. But right now, with Gabriel out of the picture until the start of next season, the Pole is finally showing us what sort of a player he can be. A fine header inside three minutes to give Arsenal the lead and produced a stunning block in the six-yard box to deny Nketiah when he looked destined to score. Before there was doubt, but now he will be one of the first names on the teamsheet to face PSG in their semi-final first leg next week. The Arsenal set-piece machine roars again! Jakub Kiwior nets his first goal of the season for Arsenal pic.twitter.com/U9Lx6GiTgr— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 23, 2025 JURRIEN TIMBER – 7 Another occasional victim of Eze’s pace and was made to work hard, arguably more than he was made to at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid last week. The Dutchman still had time to grab an assist, slipping inside on the run and feeding Trossard. That is quickly becoming a trademark of Timber’s. THOMAS PARTEY – 7 With talk of a new deal on the horizon and his current one expiring this summer, Partey has been red hot in recent weeks – only to go cold in a dismal first half. Losing possession and lazy passes galore, t

Apr 24, 2025 - 04:12

ARSENAL held up Liverpool’s inevitable title celebrations with a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at the Emirates.

Liverpool knew a Palace win would hand them the title without having to kick a ball, but Arne Slot‘s side only need to avoid defeat against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.

Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrating a goal.

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored an unbelievable equaliser[/caption]

Jakub Kiwior of Arsenal scoring a goal during a Premier League match.

Jakub Kiwior opened the scoring for the Gunners inside three minutes[/caption]

Arsenal's Raheem Sterling and Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell vying for the ball during a soccer match.

Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling struggled against Palace[/caption] Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace match stats graphic.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Premier League starting XI.

Jakub Kiwior – who has stepped up in recent weeks after the season-ending injury to Gabriel – scored his first goal of the season with an incredible 10-yard header to give Arsenal the lead inside three minutes.

Both sides looked cagey with upcoming chances to win external silverware- Arsenal with a Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain next Tuesday and Palace facing Aston Villa in the FA Cup semis on Sunday.

Eberechi Eze levelled with a super strike, before Leandro Trossard put the Gunners back in front before half-time.

But Palace ended up giving Liverpool’s players and staff – watching the game all together from a Merseyside hotel – some reason to believe.

William Saliba’s heavy touch was pounced upon by Jean-Philippe Mateta, who sensationally lobbed David Raya with a brilliant finish, after being subbed on just three minutes before.

Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners from the Emirates.

Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus
in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates

DAVID RAYA – 6/10

After being able to snooze his way through the 4-0 win at Ipswich, the Spaniard was put under far more pressure here with several dangerous crosses into his cross early on.

He did not deal with them all that well, flapping at a few.

He was then nearly chipped from 35 yards out after his poor pass to Adam Wharton was hit first time only to be blocked.

A vital touch on the hour mark was gladly received, tipping it away at the far post to stop two Palace players from heading in, and another sharp stop from a flicked corner.

But then with eight minutes left, his bizarre positioning allowed Mateta to capitalise on an error and chip in off the bar into an empty net.