Pain in the Arsenal
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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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Mikel Arteta was pleased with his side’s efforts. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta was pleased with his side’s efforts. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Arteta-ball in full effect

Arsenal were simply devastating in the opening 35 minutes. They started as they had in just about every pre-season game. They pressed, harried, and put the Palace side under pressure they couldn’t handle.

Martinelli’s goal capped off the perfect start and sent the visitors on their way. The second half was far less dominant, but again, as the team showed last season, they can do a job when they have a lead to protect.

https://twitter.com/TikiTakaConnor/status/1555662324530397185?s=20&t=4RDOU2AFs1YEpJ6Qdlcw8A

This was evident tonight as Palace was pushing hard for an equaliser, but the Gunners’ defence, led by Saliba, stood firm and got the second goal that killed the contest.

Every player did their role tonight, particularly in the first half, as Palace simply could not string two passes together in what has now become the norm for Arsenal under Arteta.

While the second half was not what Arteta would have liked, the defensive solidity is pleasing, and they also kept a clean sheet.

A near-perfect night.

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