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Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal: 3 talking points as Gunners start season with a win

By Adam Schultz

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Players of Arsenal applaud their fans after the final whistle of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 05, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Players of Arsenal applaud their fans after the final whistle of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 05, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal started their Premier League season with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday night.

Mikel Arteta named an unchanged XI from the side that hammered Sevilla 6-0 in the Emirates Cup last weekend as William Saliba, Oleksander Zinchenko, and Gabriel Jesus were all handed competitive club debuts.

Arsenal started the better side and were ahead after just 19 minutes. A Bukayo Saka corner found its way to Zinchenko at the back post, who headed the ball back across the goal, where Gabriel Martinelli headed home to give the Gunners a deserved lead.

Arsenal dominated the first 35 minutes as Palace barely got a kick of the ball. In the last ten minutes of the half, however, the home side grew into the game and should have been level, but Aaron Ramsdale produced a superb save from close range to keep it a 1-0 heading into half-time.

Arsenal were second best for most of the second half, but Bukayo Saka helped the Gunners double their lead with five minutes to go. The winger took the ball and drove into the box before lashing home across Vicente Guaita in the Palace goal via a cruel Marc Guehi deflection.

The Gunners managed to keep Palace at bay as they secured a crucial 2-0 win to kick off their Premier League season with three points.

3 talking points as Arsenal starthe t Premier League season with a win

The game provided plenty of talking points, and here they are.

1. William Saliba was sensational

Much has been made of Saliba’s pre-season, but some were sceptical as to whether he could translate such controlled dominance over to the Premier League. Well, no one can doubt his quality as he was the best player on the pitch in a Man of the Match performance.

https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1555659052759277568?s=20&t=4RDOU2AFs1YEpJ6Qdlcw8A

The 21-year-old dealt with everything thrown at him with ease. He covered well, was tidy in possession, and was never flustered. He is like a brand new signing, and in truth, he is Arsenal’s best defender without question.

Saliba was simply a level about tonight as he was cool, calm, and composed in everything he did and was a rock in the heart of the Arsenal defence.

What a performance.

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