Arsenal’s new arrivals made an immediate impact as they opened their English Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over hosts Crystal Palace on Friday.
Left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko set up the opening goal in the first half, while striker Gabriel Jesus created a number of chances and defender William Saliba was almost flawless on his first start for Arsenal.
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The Gunners struggled in the second half before Bukayo Sakho’s cross was headed into his own net by Palace defender Mark Gehey in the 85th.
Arsenal took the lead in the 20th from a well-worked corner, when Zanchenko met a long delivery in the area and turned it back to Gabriel Martinelli, who slotted the ball in from close range.
Martinelli should have scored after a great run from Jesus in the opening minutes, who dribbled his way into the box before clearing the ball into the path of his fellow Brazilian, who sent his shot wide of the far post.
Zinchenko and Jesus both joined from Manchester City in the off-season while Saliba was signed in 2019 but has spent the last three seasons on loan in his native France. The centre-back looked composed and confident on his league debut, making key interceptions and blocks as Palace chased an equaliser.
Arsenal also needed two good saves from goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to maintain their lead.
Ramsdale first reacted quickly in the 42nd minute to deflect Odsson Edouard’s close-range header, then got down to block Iberich Eze’s shot in the 54th minute.
For Arsenal, it has been a much better start to the season than last year, when they also opened the campaign on Friday night but fell 2-0 to a promoted Brentford and lost their next two games.
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