kicked off the new Premier League season with a 2-0 win over at Selhurst Park.
Gabriel Martinelli scored the first goal of the 2022-23 campaign as the Gunners made an electric start in south London and threatened to blow away their London rivals.
Patrick Vieira’s Palace improved after the break and threatened to mount a comeback but Arsenal’s victory was sealed when Marc Guehi diverted Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own net.
Mikel Arteta gave debuts to new signings Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko and the returning William Saliba, who spent last season on loan at Marseille.
Vieira, meanwhile, gave a start to summer addition Cheick Doucoure in a largely familiar Crystal Palace side, with Christian Benteke absent following his loan move to MLS side DC United.
Arsenal have been rattled by similarly electric atmospheres in years gone by but there were no signs of that at Selhurst Park this evening as they dominated the early exchanges.
Martinelli should have put the visitors ahead after just three minutes but the Brazilian missed a sitter after Jesus glided past two defenders and saw his own effort blocked.
Former Manchester City defender Zinchenko sensed an opportunity to score his first Premier League goal inside ten minutes but his drilled effort was palmed away by Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.
Zinchenko did play a role in Arsenal’s first goal of the new season, however, as the Ukrainian drifted to the back post from a corner and headed the ball back into the danger area, with Martinelli on hand to nod home.
It appeared as though a lively and dynamic Arsenal team could tear through Palace but they failed to turn their dominance into another goal before the hosts came back into the game later in the half.
Odsonne Edouard was denied by Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and the Palace forward threatened again on the stroke of half-time only to see his shot blocked over the bar.
Crystal Palace’s momentum continued after the break and Eberechi Eze should have levelled after he raced onto a brilliant through ball from Wilfried Zaha, but Ramsdale again stood firm to frustrate the hosts.
Arsenal remained dangerous themselves, however, as new captain Martin Odegaard beared down on goal only to hesitate and fail to get a shot away, shortly after flashing a free-kick wide.
Crystal Palace enjoyed their best period of the match midway through the second half and twice saw the ball flash past Arsenal’s goal, with no one able to convert.
But any hopes of a Palace comeback were dashed with six minutes remaining as Saka’s cross was diverted into the far corner off Guehi.
Arsenal play their first home game of the new season next Saturday as Leicester City visit the Emirates, while Crystal Palace return to action against Liverpool.
While it remains to be seen what Arsenal can achieve this season, they barely put a foot wrong in what could have been a tricky opening fixture and Arteta will be especially pleased with the performance of Saliba, Jesus and Zinchenko, who all impressed on debut.
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