When you can’t win being sexy, it’s okay to just grind out the result and that was the case of Arsenal at the Selhurst Park in the first game of the Premier League 2022/23 season.
Palace, who boast a good record against Arsenal, most especially at home had lost only once at home to the Gunners in their last four meetings and never failed to score in a home game against Arsenal since losing 2-0 in October 2013.
Moreso, they were unbeaten in six straight home games, keeping five clean sheets in the process and on Friday night against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who was one of their victims in that run, it was obvious Patrick Vieira is building something special.
Arsenal made a promising start to the game and were all over their host in the first 30 minutes of the match. They got rewarded with the first goal of the new season through Brazilian youngster, Gabriel Martinelli.
Few minutes after missing a very good chance to put his side in front after a lively run into that box by debutant Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli was unable to convert from close range as his shot flashes wide across goal.
The goal did came in the 20th minute as a Bukayo Saka corner found former Manchester City man Oleksandr Zinchenko at the far post, whose header back across goal found Martinelli’s head with the Brazilian heading home from close range.
It was a very different night for the Arsenal forward, who was part of the three players that started their 2-0 defeat at Brighton in last season’s opening fixture to start again on the night, alongside Ben White and Granit Xhaka.
Arsenal slowed down as the match went on and allowed Palace to get into the game. The Eagles nearly hit back few minutes from the break but Aaron Ramsdale sensationally denied Odsonne Edouard from a close range header.
Palace continued put pressure on the Arsenal defence after the restart but another debutant, William Saliba was having a very good night and was able to repel everything Palace threw at them.
Wilfred Zaha’s through pass seven minutes after the restart caught the defence ball watching and set-up Eberechi Eze on a one-on-one with Aaron Ramsdale but the Arsenal goalkeeper was again equal to the task.
Arsenal also went close after Bukayo Saka was brought down and Martin Ødegaard lined up a free-kick. The Arsenal captain saw his effort curls wide as he tried to whip it into the near post.
One minute from the end of normal time, the killer blow did came as Bukayo Saka’s cross was diverted into his own goal by Marc Guehi and ultimately ended any chance of a comeback with three more minutes added at the end of the 90.
Palace did tried to grab a consolation to set up a nervy ending but Will Hughes’ cross to the far post was flicked away by substitute, Kieran Tierney with Mateta just waiting to head home.
The win means Mikel Arteta reaches 50 Premier League wins in 98 games, the second quickest Arsenal manager to reach the milestone since Arsenal Wenger did it in 94 games.
Moreso, the 50 wins is the third most of any manager in the Premier League since his appointment in 2019. Only Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have won more.
A winning start for Arsenal at the ground where their Champions League dream was dealt a huge blow last season show how well they have prepared for the new season.
It was also a good night for their debutants with William Saliba voted the man of the match, Oleksandr Zinchenko getting the assist for the opener and Gabriel Jesus, even if the goal did not come was up and running all night.
Tougher tests awaits as the season goes on but on a night many anticipated because of Palace’s reputation against the Gunners, it was Mikel Arteta’s side that left the ground smiling with all three points.
Up next for them is Leicester City at home on Saturday while Palace travel to Liverpool on Monday, in a game Patrick Vieira will know they will find far more difficult than they had against Arsenal.
Three points, two goals, one clean sheet. Arsenal have the perfect start even if they have not done it in style.
Author: Afolabi Kehinde Hassan