Arsenal showed their brilliance with a hard-fought victory against Crystal Palace to maintain their best start to the Premier League season.
The Gunners won 1-0 at Selhurst Park, Martin Odegaard’s second-half penalty proving decisive.
In a match that showed Arsenal’s determination, Takehiro Tomiyasu’s red card did not prevent them from winning. Despite playing with 10 men for the last half hour of the game, Odegaard’s ice-cold penalty in the 54th minute was the only goal that saw them claim victory.
Manager Mikel Arteta was delighted with the team’s resilience, praising their refusal to concede their lead even after the controversial red card. Arsenal’s bench erupted in celebration, reflecting the unity and determination of the squad.
A strong defensive performance was put in by Arteta, with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale making key saves throughout the match. The Gunners showed their tactical flexibility, deploying Thomas Partey in an advanced role on the right to reinforce their possession-based approach.
Palace’s appeals for a penalty in the early stages went unanswered by VAR, as Arsenal’s defense held firm. Despite a late push for an equalizer by Palace, the Gunners held on to secure a vital three points.
Arteta acknowledged the challenges he faced this season due to stricter time-wasting rules, with Tomiyasu’s red card a result of strict enforcement. The manager remarked that teams will need to adapt to these changes while anticipating potential changes in gameplay dynamics.
In his post-match comments, Palace manager Roy Hodgson took a pragmatic view of the emerging rule interpretations, stressing the need to adapt the changes.
With their perfect start to the Premier League campaign, Arsenal are now third in the league standings, showing their intent to mount a sustained title challenge. The Gunners’ resilience and tactical mastery were on full display, setting a positive tone for the upcoming season.
