A great game to open the Premier League. Arsenal beat Crystal Palace in the London derby

The opening game of the new Premier League season is over, Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 2-0. In the first half the favourite had the upper hand, but after the change of sides the home side were clearly more dangerous.

Gabriel Martinelli had the first big chance in the fourth minute, but did not score from close range. The Gunners were clearly the better side at the start, and three minutes later summer signing Oleksandar Zinchenko scored, but the home goalkeeper made the save.

The opening goal of the game came in the 20th minute. A rehearsed signal at a corner kick worked, a free Zinchenko header found Martinelli, who made no mistake for the second time and delighted the visiting sector.

Arsenal were in control of the game, only coming under pressure themselves with unnecessarily risky crosses. The home side did not respond until the 42nd minute when Aaron Ramsdale had to flash against Odsonne Edouard’s header.

The French striker fired again in first-half stoppage time, this time blocked by Granit Xhaka. After the change of sides, the home side continued to pass the ball well, with Eberechi Eze making a mistake alone in front of the goalkeeper in the 51st minute.

Arsenal were also bad, however, and in the 60th minute Martin Odegaard tried to spice up the quick action with a pass in front of an empty net, but Joachim Andersen blocked it. This was a rather isolated situation, otherwise it was the Eagles who were the main threat in the second half.

As the minutes ticked down, it was really only the home side who were playing, but in the 85th minute Arsenal managed a breakthrough and Bukayo Saka made it 2-0 with a cross. The final minutes were mainly enjoyed by the away fans. First they booed Mikel Arteta, then even the away coach and Gunners legend Patrick Vieira.

Arsenal thus won 2: 0 at the start of the season and for at least 16 hours they were at the top of the table.

Source: Sky Sports