Arsenal, on Friday, defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 on the opening day of the 2022/23 Premier League season.

Gabriel Martinelli headed home from close range in the 20th minute following a well-worked corner before a fierce cross from Bukayo Saka was turned into his own net by Palace defender, Marc Guehi, in the final minutes to secure an opening three points for Arsenal.

The Gunners were beaten 2-0 at Brentford on the opening night of last year’s season, which triggered their worst start to a league campaign for 67 years.

Arsenal, however, beat Palace for the first time since Patrick Vieira took charge of the club.

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, who arrived from Manchester City in the close season, looked set to get off to a flying start by dancing through the Palace defence only to see his shot blocked, with Martinelli dragging the rebound wide of the post.

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Oleksandr Zinchenko, another new signing from City, also looked lively and had an early shot blocked as Arsenal quickly raised the tempo but the Ukrainian soon had a hand in the opening goal as Palace were caught flat-footed at a corner.

Bukayo Saka’s inswinger found Zinchenko in acres of space and he headed the ball back across goal where Martinelli was on hand to nod it into the net.

Palace could have levelled before the break as Odsonne Edouard headed goalwards, but visiting goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale pulled off a superb reflex save to preserve his side’s lead.

The hosts wasted another great chance to draw level after the break when Wilfried Zaha sliced open the Arsenal defence with a perfect pass but again Ramsdale was quick to react, getting out to block Eberechi Eze’s shot.

French defender, William Saliba, was however outstanding for Arsenal as he finally made his debut after three years spent on loan at different clubs in France.

The Star