6-0 win against Sevilla and 4-0 win against Chelsea. There was a positive atmosphere in the preparation at Arsenal. A line that Mikel Arteta wanted to continue in the season opener against Crystal Palace.
The Spanish coach therefore saw no reason to tinker with his base team much. He had reserved a place in it for Man.City newcomers Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus.
The Ukrainian left-back was the first to put Palace goalkeeper Vincente Guaita to the test. Before that, Gabriel Martinelli had already missed a dot of a chance on the opening goal.
Moments later it was a hit: Saka turned a corner far past the far post, Zinchenko headed the ball through to Martinelli who was ready to head the first Premier League goal of the season against the nets.
Arsenal went into halftime with a deserved lead. Crystal Palace did not just give up and fought back into the game. Eberechi Eze, among others, encountered a very strong Aaron Ramsdale.
Five minutes before the end, Saka decided the game with a dribble in the penalty area. The young Arsenal winger tried to pass the ball, but ran into Guehi. The Crystal Palace defender misdirected the ball into goal.
The final score was on the scoreboard. Arsenal took the three points and is thus ‘top of the league’. For a while anyway. The dead-painted title candidates Liverpool (Saturday) and Man. City (Sunday) have yet to start their season.
