Arsenal began their 2022-23 season with a confidence boosting win at Crystal Palace.
Gooners all around the world would be buzzing after the 2-0 win at Selhurst Park, a venue that saw Arsenal crumbled to a 3-0 defeat in April which contributed to their failure in securing a Champions League spot.
Gabreil Jesus, Oleg Zinchenko and William Saliba made their competitive debuts for Mikel Arteta’s side and the trio contributed significantly towards the win.
Jesus was a nuisance to the Palace defence throughout the match and would have registered an assist if Gabriel Martinelli had put a chance created by him into the back of the net early in the match.
However it was Zinchenko instead who assisted Martinelli in opening the score after his header from a corner was headed home by the Brazilian from close range in the 20th minute.
Saliba performed solidly in defence, reading the game astutely and made timely tackles that belied his 21 years of age. More significanty it was a clean game for him as he did not conceded a single foul.
Patrick Vieira’s boys managed to get into the game and created a number of chances that could have gone in and put his former side under more pressure.
However Aaron Ramsdale was in his element by denying Odsonne Édouard in the first half and later in the second, Eberechi Eze when both seemed destined to score for Palace.
The Gunners put the result beyond with five minutes remaining after a fine run by Bukayo Saka on the right which ended with him shooting the ball across the goal and the unfortunate Marc Guéhi headed the ball past his goalkeeper, Vicente Guaita in his attempt to stop it.
It was only the first match of the season but it is good to start it off with a win. If Arteta’s boys can maintain the winning consistency then Gooners will be in for a big ride this season.
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