Crystal Palace v Arsenal player ratings: Zaha, Ayew and Mateta 8; Saka 6, Odegaard 5

Gunners slump to 3-0 defeat at Selhurst Park in blow to Premier League top four hopes

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  CRYSTAL PALACE PLAYER RATINGS: Vicente Guaita 7 – Only had two shots of note to deal with – both of which were very tame. Showed good composure throughout as Arsenal showered his penalty box with crosses. AFP

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  Nathaniel Clyne 7 – The former Liverpool man hardly ventured forward, but in a defensive capacity he was very solid. Kept Saka quiet in the second half. AFP

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  Joachim Andersen 8 – Not exactly known for his creativity, the towering defender assisted Palace’s two opening goals. He capped this off with a colossal showing at the back for the hosts. Reuters

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  Marc Guehi 7 – Dependable next to Andersen, distributing the ball nicely, as well as remaining positionally disciplined. A fine showing after making his England debut last week. Getty

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  Tyrick Mitchell 7 – Got caught under the ball on one or two occasions late on. However, for the first hour, the young Full-back barely put a foot wrong. Getty

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  Conor Gallagher 7 – Started at a typically frantic pace, setting the tone for his teammates to follow as Arsenal were pinned back. The loanee then played in a delicious free-kick for Palace’s opening goal. Getty

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  Cheikhou Kouyate 8 – Industrious out of possession, while also managing to be highly effective with the ball at his feet. The 32-year-old shut down several potential Arsenal counters in the first half. AP

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  Jeffrey Schlupp 7 – Despite playing in a somewhat unfamiliar position for the second league game in a row, the Ghanaian looked right at home centrally. He was equally as sharp after moving onto the left in the second period. Getty

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  Jordan Ayew 8 – After helping Ghana seal their place at this year’s World Cup, the 30-year-old returned to Palace’s starting XI with a bang. His sublime finish past Aaron Ramsdale put the hosts in a commanding position before half-time. Getty

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  Jean-Philippe Mateta 8 – Scorer of Palace’s opener, which was an excellent instinctive header from a set-piece. The forward was a livewire throughout, with his movement and work rate causing the Gunners all sorts of problems. Reuters

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  Wilfried Zaha 8 – After a slow start, partly thanks to Cedric’s tight marking, the Ivorian grew into the game as it wore on. Won - and converted - Palace’s late penalty, which he slotted home emphatically. Getty

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  SUBS: James McArthur (Mateta 69’) 7 – Helped sure up the midfield in the final half-hour, coming on for MOTM winner Mateta. AFP

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  Odsonne Edouard (Ayew 76’) 6 – Replaced Ayew in the second half, adding good energy as Patrick Vieira’s men began to tire. Getty

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  Luka Milivojevic (Kouyate 80’) N/A – Retained possession well in the closing stages. Reuters

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  ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 5 – Not the return he would have wanted, after missing Arsenal’s last league game through injury. Looked rusty in possession and was nowhere near any of the home side’s three goals. AP

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  Cedric Soares 6 – Pursued Zaha impressively in the first half, managing to minimise his influence early on. However, the defender was sacrificed on the hour mark with Mikel Arteta’s side in need of match-saving goals. Getty

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  Ben White 5 – Looked somewhat flustered after Palace’s exceptional start. While he wasn’t helped by the mistakes from those around him, this certainly wasn’t a vintage display from the former Brighton man. Reuters

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  Gabriel 4 – Made a dreadful error for Ayew’s goal, completely misjudging a through-ball when attempting to step out of the backline. It didn’t get any better from there. Getty

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  Nuno Tavares 4 – Came in for the injured Kieran Tierney, who will be badly missed on this evidence. He was just as culpable as Gabriel for Ayew’s goal, after being rolled far too easily. Reuters

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  Martin Odegaard 5 – Drifted out of the game completely for large spells. At times in the second half, he looked like a man who simply ran out of ideas as the home side sat in deep. PA

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  Thomas Partey 4 – A strange performance from the usually reliable midfielder. After playing both legs of Ghana’s World Cup Playoff Qualifier last week, perhaps we can put this disjoined showing down to fatigue – or him nursing a slight injury. AFP

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  Granit Xhaka 6 – Far too passive in the first half, allowing the likes of Gallagher time and space on the ball. Things didn’t improve in the second half after the Swiss captain slotted into a back three. Getty

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  Emile Smith-Rowe 6 – Saw his tame effort at goal saved in the 70th minute, moments before Zaha made it 3-0. The youngster did make some intelligent runs throughout the game. Getty

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  Alexandre Lacazette 5 – Cut an isolated figure at times, failing to strike up a good understanding with his forward partners. One to forget. AP

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  Bukayo Saka 6 – One of the few bright sparks for Arsenal, as he always seems to be. However, aside from the odd promising cross, the Englishman could do little to turn the tide tonight. Getty

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  SUBS: Gabriel Martinelli (Tavares 45’) 6 – Improved Arsenal’s play in the final third after coming on in the second half. Never quite managed to work a clear chance at goal. AP

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  Eddie Nketiah (Soares 66’) 6 – Looked bright on the left, but the England U21 international was generally wasteful in the final third. Reuters

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  Albert Sambi Lokonga (Partey 74’) N/A – Failed to make an impact in the final 15 minutes. PA

Arsenal's hopes of securing a top-four Premier League finish this season were dealt a blow after suffering a 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday.

Arsenal were put to the sword in the first half by the clinical hosts, with goals from forwards Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew giving Palace a deserved 2-0 interval lead.

Arsenal improved after the break, with Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard missing big chances to get their team back into the match. Their wastefulness proved costly as Wilfried Zaha put the game to bed with a penalty 16 minutes from time.

Tottenham Hotspur's 5-0 home victory over Newcastle United on Sunday means they are fourth, ahead of their of their north London rivals on goal difference having played a game more.

The scoreline at Selhurst Park did not flatter an impressive Palace, who continue to improve under former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, with the victory moving them up to ninth.

Check out the player ratings from the match in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.