Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal opened the Premier League for the third consecutive year and in a London derby. In 2020 they beat Fulham (0-3), in 2021 they lost at Brentford (2-0) and now they beat Crystal Palace (0-2) but with less brilliance than shown in their five pre-season friendlies .
The start of the game was an extension of Arsenal’s extraordinary pre-season, shutting down Crystal Palace with an avalanche of attacking play led by Gabriel Jesus, who scored 7 of his side’s 20 goals in summer bowling.
Already in the 4th minute, the Brazilian invented a Messi-style internship between several rivals and after seeing his shot denied, Gabriel Martinellí crossed everything in his favor.
Martinelli scored after an assist from Zinchenko
The goal could be seen coming and it came in the 20th minute in a strategic move. Bukayo Saka took a corner from the right, debutant Oleksandr Zinchenko headed in from the left and Martinelli, also with his head, beat Valencian Vicente Guaita in the narrow area.
Arsenal continued to be superior and Crystal Palace held their breath until the final moments of the first half, but Odsonne Edouard had two good chances to level. Especially clear is the first where the French striker, after a good header from the central defender Joachim Andersen. forcing Aaron Ramsdale to show off his shot from close range.
Ramsdale saved Arsenal again
After the break the game changed. Arsenal started to feel tired at the start of the season and Palace found more space. Eberichi Eze linked up with Wilfried Zaha, who only received on the left in one of those rare occasions when Ben White left him, but Ramsdale was unable to head it up. The goalkeeper saves the ‘gunners’ again (52′).
The game was balanced without any chances until Palace turned it around in the final stages and made Arsenal suffer. But, in a superb counter-attack, a Saka cross was deflected by central defender Marc Guéhi towards his goal as he headed over (84′).
The own goal smiled at an Arsenal that condemned the loss of its legendary former player Patrick Vieira, the Palace coach, and gave arguments to those who maintain that this season they will once again compete for places of honor in the Premier.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
