4 observations from Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace
![LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/5e15eec07e0996db16ad239721c964e0668722ebb90358b8fc4e08ba03cf9da3.jpg)
4. Tomiyasu on the left may need to change
The Jurrien Timber injury changed the landscape for Arsenal’s left-back position, and the Gunners desperately need a fully fit Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Jordan Ayew certainly isn’t an easy task for anyone given his dogged determination, but he took it to Tomiyasu on Monday night. Palace’s wide man had some success in one-on-one situations in the first half, with the Arsenal full-back struggling to get a hold of the Ghanaian.
Tomiyasu didn’t do himself any favours by wasting time and earning himself a yellow on the hour, though he didn’t deserve a second booking for his foul on Ayew seven minutes later which left the Gunners a man down. Even without the harsh red card, this wasn’t Tomi’s finest hour.
His suspension rules him out of Saturday’s game against Fulham, and barring another Zinchenko injury, it might be a while until we see Tomiyasu in the starting XI again.