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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Arsenal player ratings vs Liverpool: Declan Rice produces heroic display but Gabriel Martinelli struggles

Arsenal ensured they will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day by earning a draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

The Gunners made a bright start to the match and took the lead in the fourth minute through Gabriel.

Liverpool, however, hit back around the half-hour mark as Mohamed Salah got on the end of a great pass by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Both sides had chances to win the game, but it finished 1-1 and Arsenal will be top of the League on Christmas Day for the second season running.

Simon Collings was at Anfield to see Arsenal in action...

David Raya 7

Beaten by a powerful strike from Salah. Put in a solid performance, otherwise, and dealt well with balls into the box. Distribution was on point.

Ben White 7

Form has dipped in recent weeks but he was much better this evening. Pressed Luis Diaz high and stop anything come down Liverpool's left.

William Saliba 8

Alongside Gabriel, the Frenchman was one of Arsenal's better players. Marshalled Salah so well in the final 30 minutes when he went central.

Gabriel 8

Opened the scoring by heading home from a free-kick early on. Had a great game, making plenty of big blocks.

Gabriel gave the Gunners an early lead at Anfield (REUTERS)

Oleksandr Zinchenko 5

Beaten too easily for Liverpool's goal as Salah skipped past him. Guilty of losing possession too close to his own goal at times.

Martin Odegaard 7

Set-up Gabriel's goal with a free-kick into the box. Tried to get on the ball and make things happen, but not as effective as usual. Survived a penalty scare for handball.

Declan Rice 8 | Star player

Continues to deliver in the big games. Covered so much ground this evening, including some vital interceptions when Liverpool got in behind. A heroic performance.

Kai Havertz 6

Arsenal went long a lot more than usual and the German acted as their outlet. Put in a shift off the ball and battled well.

Bukayo Saka 6

Had a great chance before the break and should have done better. Had some nice runs, but just lacked the final ball.

Gabriel Jesus 7

Made a really bright start and had three good efforts in the first 15 minutes. Battled well up top and tried to give Arsenal an outlet.

Gabriel Martinelli 4

Struggled to make an impact. Had plenty of the ball, but wasted it. Has been off his best for a while now.

Substitutions

Leandro Trossard (Martinelli 68') 5

Didn't have long to make an impact, but given Martinelli's form could start next week.

Eddie Nketiah (Jesus 77') N/A

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