In a thrilling encounter at Selhurst Park, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side continued their impeccable record this season with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Crystal Palace. This victory marked a significant achievement, as Arsenal became only the second visiting team since January to walk away with three points from the fortress of Selhurst Park.
Remembering their victorious season opener at Selhurst Park last year, Arsenal was eager for a repeat performance to kickstart their current campaign on the road. The 2022/23 season saw no other team in the Premier League gather more away points than the North Londoners, and their dominance showed in the closely contested first half. Eddie Nketiah led the charge, testing the Crystal Palace defense with a right-footed shot that struck the post and later missing an opportunity after an impressive assist by Declan Rice. Martin Ødegaard joined the offensive with a long-range effort before half-time, but Arsenal was left frustrated as they headed back to the dressing room with a level scoreline after a first half they largely controlled.
The second half saw Arsenal maintain their attacking momentum, and their perseverance was rewarded with a well-deserved breakthrough, albeit with a stroke of luck. Nketiah, a constant threat, won a penalty kick for his team after being brought down by Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone within the penalty area. Referee David Coote wasted no time in pointing to the spot, and Ødegaard calmly converted the opportunity to secure his first goal of the new season.
However, the dynamics shifted suddenly when Takehiro Tomiyasu received two yellow cards within a seven-minute span, reducing Arsenal to ten men. Tomiyasu’s first booking resulted from delaying a throw-in, and moments later, he was controversially sent off for an alleged push on Jordan Ayew. Despite the numerical advantage, Crystal Palace struggled to capitalize on their chances. Although Eberechi Eze showed promise in his efforts, the home side couldn’t mount a comeback, and Arsenal managed to maintain their slender lead until the final whistle.
Arteta’s squad showcased resilience and determination throughout the match, ensuring their perfect start to the season remained intact. Arsenal’s ability to secure a hard-fought victory against a challenging opponent bodes well for their campaign ahead.
