Arsenal got its 2022/2023 Premier League campaign off to a winning start after claiming a 2-0 away victory against Crystal Palace, at the Selhurst Park Stadium in England.
The visitors started with new signing Gabriel Jesus in attack, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli supporting on the flanks. Crystal Palace featured a front-three of Odsonne Edouard, Ivorian Wilfried Zaha and Ghanaian Jordan Ayew as they looked to cause an opening day upset.
Arsenal started the stronger of the two sides in the encounter as the Gunners stamped their authority in the game. Martinelli fired an early chance wide after a superb solo run from Gabriel Jesus. However, Martinelli opened the scoring when he headed in Oleksandr Zinchenko’s cross after a clever corner routine in the 20th minute.
Palace responded with a close-range header from Edouard, but Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale had to be alert to divert the effort away from goal just before the break.
In the second half, Ramsdale was called into action in the 52nd minute, denying Eberechi Eze after he was found by a clever pass from Zaha.
Arsenal defended brilliantly to keep their hosts out as Saka made the game safe with some outstanding wing play. His cross was deflected into the net by Marc Guehi in the 85th minute to extend the lead for the Gunners.
The Gunners closed out the encounter as Saka’s goal seemed to deflate the Crystal Palace players, with Arsenal claiming a morale-boosting 2-0 victory against their hosts.
Expectation has grown around the Emirates after an impressive pre-season and Mikel Arteta’s side delivered on the opening night with Gabriel Martinelli and a Marc Guehi own goal enough to claim all three points.
New signings Jesus and Zinchenko both played their part with the Brazil striker a constant threat through the middle and Zinchenko providing the assist for Martinelli’s headed first-half goal.
Arsenal will play its first home game of the season next Saturday against Leicester City at The Emirates stadium, while. Crystal Palace’s next fixture will be against Liverpool at Anfield.
