Arsenal park the bus and beat Crystal Palace despite a long numerical disadvantage

Arsenal managed the game of the second round of the Premier League, although they defended the last half hour of the game. The game against Crystal Palace was decided by Martin Odegaard’s single goal from a penalty, the Gunners finished without the suspended Takehir Tomiyas.

The Gunners were angry in the second minute, but Gabriel Martinelli’s shot was blocked by the Palace defence. At the other end, Eberechi Eze tried his luck from outside the box, but Aaron Ramsdale handled with ease.

Otherwise, it was an even match, with Arsenal, as expected, playing more with the ball. And in the 29th minute, they could have taken the lead, but Eddie Nketiah only hit the back post after a clever release of his own.

The English playmaker regretted it five minutes later, this time alone in front of the goalkeeper he made an incomprehensible lob choice and shot over. The Gunners’ pressure grew as the end of the half approached, and in the 41st minute Sam Johnstone had to flash against a Martin Odegaard shot.

After the change of sides, the visitors got active and in the 53rd minute, Nketiah was fouled in the whitewash after a quick direct kick. Martin Odegaard took the ball and sent the favourites into the lead with a ground shot to the left post.

Eze could have equalised from a direct kick, but just outside the penalty area he missed by a wide margin. In the 67th minute, Arsenal made the game more difficult for themselves as Takehiro Tomiyasu pulled down a leaking Jordan Ayew and saw a second yellow card.

From that point on, the picture of the game was completely different. The Gunners defended a slim victory, but the Eagles couldn’t get a shot off. It wasn’t until the 86th minute that Odsonne Edouard was in a good position, but his header just missed the space between the three posts.

Although Arsenal played virtually the entire setup without the ball, they defended their narrow lead and remain 100 percent after the second leg.

Source: Premier League