Arsenal beat Crystal Palace despite Takehiro Tomiyasu red card
Martin Odegaard’s penalty and some resolute defending were enough to ensure 10-man Arsenal held on for a gritty win at Crystal Palace.
Arsenal’s captain scored from the spot early in the second half after Eddie Nketiah was fouled by Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, before Takehiro Tomiyasu was sent off for two soft yellow cards.
The first was for time-wasting over a throw-in, and the second for a foul on Jordan Ayew which referee David Coote judged to be stopping a Palace breakaway.
Asked about the red card and the PGMOL’s new directives, Mikel Arteta said: “This is the standards. I don’t know how long it was. [On being told it was 23 seconds]. It wasn’t. I think it was eight seconds. We might have to play with a stop watch. It’s OK, we won the game, I’m happy.
“Today we had a difficult one, we overcame it and it will make us better.”
The result means Mikel Arteta’s side join Manchester City and Brighton as the only teams with perfect records after two games of the Premier League season.
Odegaard penalty gives Arsenal hard-fought victory – as it happened
10:59 PM BST
That's that for tonight
Arsenal will be delighted with six points from six to start their season, as they try to integrate new signings and Arteta takes a look at some new tactical gradations. There have been long periods of control against Forest and Palace, but perhaps not quite enough in the way of clear chances and separation in the opposition box. Fulham at home on Sunday could be a good chance to correct that.
Palace showed enough to suggest they will not be close to a relegation fight, especially once Michael Olise returns to full fitness. A little more punch up front and they could have got a result tonight.
10:44 PM BST
Man of the match Rice on the role he played tonight
Against Nottingham Forest we played a diamond and tonight I was the single pivot and dropped back, the last four weeks I have learned so much, I am learning how we play as team and I am testing myself.
I am eager to keep learning.
I want to keep proving people wrong and playing at the top.
10:39 PM BST
Arsenal's message to Jurrien Timber before the game
10:32 PM BST
Arteta on Rice
I thought he was fantastic today, he really dominated the game. To do something new, he has done it at his previous club but we ask him to do something different. He was fantastic.
10:30 PM BST
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal's performance
I love to win like this. First of all the way we play in the first half - I think they are ranked first for chances conceded from open play, we dominated the game and gave nothing away.
When we had the chance to attack open spaces we had the red card and then the game changes. But I thought we read the game really well, competed well and conceded nothing.
I am a very open person, I understand everything [on if the red card was correct].
We will we adapt, if we have to play with 10, or nine or eight. Maybe we can play with eight and it can be very entertaining.
10:25 PM BST
Joel Ward on Palace's performance
I think we definitely deserved something out of the game, the way we played as a unit today. We went toe to toe with them and it was one moment that maybe caught us off guard. It is one of those - sometimes you get them and sometimes you don’t and this time it went against us.
10:23 PM BST
Hodgson believes Arsenal's goal could have been ruled out
I thought we gave a very good account of ourselves. I thought our shape as a team was good and our discipline. When we got the chance to go forward after the red card, we piled bodies in their box and did everything we could. Unfortunately, we are punished on a quick free-kick and we are disappointed that the player who would have been defending that space was blocked.
10:13 PM BST
Declan Rice speaking after the game
If you want to win the Premier League, if you want to be up there at the end - These are the stadiums you’ve got to come to and show character to pluck out the three points.
10:13 PM BST
A good breakdown of the red card on Monday Night Football
Telegraph Sport’s Jamie Carragher points out that Coote had a word with Partey for taking his time to retrieve the ball at the other end just before the red. Havertz was then pulled up for holding on to the ball, before Tomiyasu received the booking as the man in possession. Like a bad game of pass the parcel.
10:01 PM BST
Sam Dean's verdict
Two wins from two, six points from six, and Arsenal are nowhere near their flowing best. This was a night for steel rather than style. Declan Rice with a leader's performance in midfield.
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) August 21, 2023
09:59 PM BST
FULL TIME! Arsenal hang on to win
As tends to be the case at Selhurst Park, Arsenal had to suffer for three points. In fairness, they were comfortable before Tomiyasu’s contentious red card, missing two good chances through Nketiah before the striker won a penalty which Odegaard converted. Arsenal will want to start motoring in the final third over the next few games, but they defended stoutly with 10-men for almost 30 minutes. Cannot fault Palace’s application or the atmosphere, but they lacked quality when it mattered.
09:55 PM BST
97 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
One final Palace attack ends with the youngster Rak-Sakyi sending in a cross that Ramsdale comes through bodies to take. With David Raya sat on the bench, he will be pleased with those late interventions.
09:54 PM BST
96 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Half a chance for Mitchel whistles over the bar! Half a dozen players throwing themselves at headers in the Arsenal penalty area, and the ball dropped loose on the corner of the six-yard box. Ramsdale did well to palm the ball clear, and the Palace left-back blasted his shot over.
09:52 PM BST
95 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Gabriel covers the run of Ayew well and ushers the ball behind. He pumps his fists at the ball going behind for a goal kick and urged his team-mates up the pitch.
09:51 PM BST
93 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Palace working the ball from side to side on the edge of the final third, until Eze looses patience and floats an overhit cross that runs all the way through to Ramsdale. He looks for Havertz long who concedes a foul for pushing the defender.
09:50 PM BST
91 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Arsenal will be grateful for Doucoure lunging in on Havertz, and the Palace man picks up a yellow card. Arsenal cannot make the set-piece count though, and Palace reload.
09:48 PM BST
89 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Arteta making another couple of changes: Kiwior and Zinchenko on for Odegaard and Saka. Straight away, Zinchenko helps Arsenal keep the ball in the Palace half.
There will be SEVEN minutes of added time.
09:46 PM BST
87 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Arsenal cannot clear the ball beyond halfway at the moment, wave after wave of Palace attacks. Every single Arsenal outfielder in their penalty area. The pressure is absolutely relentless, but Saliba and Gabriel make a couple of vital interventions. Will Arteta regret taking off Martinelli? Arsenal could use his pace.
09:44 PM BST
85 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Partey sometimes looks uncomfortable when he is squared up one-on-one, but he hooks a leg around Mitchell at the expense of the corner. Palace keep Arsenal under the cosh for what feels an eternity, but the away side manage to scramble the ball away from their box.
Then Édouard is picked out inside the penalty area, unmarked, but he skewed his header horribly wide.
09:41 PM BST
83 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
The ball does not stay in the Palace half for long though, Arsenal have more defending to do. Palace are bringing on youngster Rak-Sakyi, could he the kind of maverick talent to find the way through? Saka is now playing as a left wing-back.
09:40 PM BST
81 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Arsenal have done well to tick a few minutes away, but there is still a long old way to go here. Arteta’s team are in their defensive shape, trying to stay disciplined. Havertz has gone up front since the Jorginho sub, and he brings the ball down nicely to get Arsenal upfield.
09:36 PM BST
78 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Palace ringing the Arsenal box and keeping the pressure on, but Gabriel wins the header in the box and Nketiah does well to get his body in and win a free-kick. Arteta is making his second substitution, and Nketiah is departing for Jorginho which tells you how the game has changed for Arsenal since the red card.
09:35 PM BST
76 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Right decision not to give Eze the penalty, but he is starting to get more touches in dangerous areas. Backs to the wall for Arsenal right now, but they have Saliba and Gabriel in place with Rice in front. Arsenal have no outball at the moment.
09:31 PM BST
74 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal
More controversy at Selhurst Park! Vociferous Palace appeals for a penalty after Eze skipped past Partey in the area, but he did not full extend his right leg towards the attacker and Coote decides there was not enough in it. Var did check, but no change in decision. Arsenal players appealed for a yellow for diving. Ahamada is on for Palace.
09:30 PM BST
72 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
By the time stoppage time is accounted for, Arsenal have a long time to hold out here. If Palace can score in timely fashion they might even fancy going on to win this. Important for Arsenal that they still retain a threat on the counter-attack.
09:28 PM BST
70 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Palace have the wind in their sails now and have a free-kick in a crossing position wide right. Martinelli has been sacrificed by Arteta, with Gabriel replacing him. The delivery from the free-kick was dangerous, but Ayew’s shot flicked off Saliba and spooned up easily for Ramsdale.
09:26 PM BST
ARSENAL RED CARD! Tomiyasu off for two yellows
There was precious little contact between Tomiyasu and Ayew, but the winger was the wrong side of the defender and Coote judged he was stopping a counter. That looks very harsh, but he only has himself to blame for the first yellow for time wasting.
RED CARD FOR TOMIYASU! 🟥
What do you think of the decision? 😬 pic.twitter.com/sByfcMRptu— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 21, 2023
09:24 PM BST
66 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Rice is starting to understand when to step forward into the next line to be available for a pass through, which is a positive development for Arsenal. Ward hammers a volley aimlessly downfield, Palace need to try and take care of the ball better than that.
Dangerous play from Martinelli getting in behind Ward and Palace scramble his cut-back away, but it sits up for Havertz who flashes a cross wide of the far post.
09:21 PM BST
63 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Arsenal get themselves going again as an attacking force, with Partey stinging the palms of Johnstone with a swept shot the Palace goalkeeper pushed over the bar. The away side have now established some control once again and are stroking the ball around in midfield.
09:18 PM BST
60 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Arsenal have not looked in a great hurry to push on and get a second goal, and now Tomiyasu has been booked for taking 23 seconds to take a throw in. I’m not sure Arsenal need to indulge in that kind of thing at this stage, especially because it riles up a crowd you want to keep quiet.
09:15 PM BST
57 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Palace free-kick in a really dangerous shooting position, Eze got there before Saliba who dangled a leg. Eze is over it, 22 or 23 yards out fairly central. This is a good chance for Palace to get back into the game.
What a disappointment for the home crowd...the ball sails into row Q. Eze never got his body over the free-kick.
09:14 PM BST
55 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 1
Palace looking for an immediate reply, and they worked the ball nicely from left to right with Eze involved. Ayew was in space again but it was a desperate lack of quality from the Palace man, slicing into the side-netting from a tight angle.
09:11 PM BST
Odegaard scores with an ice-cold penalty
The Arsenal playmaker took his time with the run-up and waited for Johnstone to dive to his left, and the Norwegian rolled the ball to the other side. Arsenal have their noses in front.
09:10 PM BST
Penalty to Arsenal!
From that free-kick, Arsenal played a pass down the side of the Palace defence, and Nketiah got there before Johnstone who had committed. It was a clear foul from the goalkeeper.
Var is checking for a foul by Partey on the edge of the box....but it was soft, and Var confirms an Arsenal penalty.
Odegaard is stepping up.
09:08 PM BST
49 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Palace look to play long for Ayew but there was a lack of accuracy to Andersen’s pass and Arsenal have a throw in their own half. Not been a game of the highest quality, but there is a pleasing tension in the contest.
Arsenal starting to play some nifty stuff now. Martinelli more involved, and there were half-hearted appeals for handball after Ward charged down his cross. Brilliant from Saka to win a free-kick from Ayew in a crossing position.
09:06 PM BST
47 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Lively start from the home side after Mitchell found Schlupp with a delicious backheel, but his cross was a little aimless and nowhere near a Palace shirt. No changes from either manager at half time incidentally.
Arsenal’s turn to attack. Saka looks to find the head of Nketiah with a cross and it flicks behind for a corner. Martinelli goes for the in-swinger. Havertz flicks it on and Arsenal keep the pressure on with Rice and Saka in the right corner, but Johnstone takes the winger’s cross.
09:03 PM BST
We are back under way!
Palace kicking towards their favoured end in this second half.
09:03 PM BST
The players are back out for the second half
This could be a case of first goal wins. Which team will find it?
09:02 PM BST
Palace and Arsenal's best players in that half
08:52 PM BST
An irony
Eddie Nketiah, who is often labelled as an excellent finisher who does not offer enough in general play, has been excellent in general play without offering enough in front of goal.
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) August 21, 2023
08:49 PM BST
HT: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Palace finished the half in Arsenal territory but they were content to keep the ball and wait for the whistle.
There have been a few lulls in Arsenal’s play when Palace have fended them off quite comfortably, but overall they will believe they should be in front given Nketiah’s two chances.
Ayew the home team’s biggest threat, who have been competitive and resolute in their defensive shape.
The game is in the balance.
08:46 PM BST
45 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Rice is growing into this game, picking out Saka with a clever switch. His pass to Odegaard is untidy though and Palace defend their box well again. The Rice does well to win a second ball after Palace launch one, nodding back to his centre-backs.
08:43 PM BST
42 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Johnstone with a flying stop to tip a powerful Odegaard strike from the edge of the box over the bar. Arsenal are starting to turn the screw a little. Arsenal sustain the pressure after the corner is cleared, but Martinelli gets a volley all wrong after he was picked out by Partey.
08:41 PM BST
40 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
I think Havertz was very lucky to be awarded a free-kick in his own half there, it looked like Ayew just robbed him. Palace fans are furious, especially because Arsenal took it quickly and went on the attack. The move ended with Saka skewing a shot over the bar, when the angle was never really on.
08:38 PM BST
36 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Nketiah has missed another big chance for Arsenal! It was lovely midfield play from Rice to break the line and poke a pass through for Nketiah at the edge of the box, but he tried to dink Johnstone from a tight angle and got it all wrong. Scooped it horribly over the bar. He possibly could have cut it back for Havertz but there were Palace defenders in the way.
08:36 PM BST
35 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Declan Rice is down momentarily, because it looks like he has something in his eye. Still a long way to go in the game, but already if feels like the first goal will carry real weight. Palace do not look like a team who will give up two goals with a lead.
Flash of danger from Palace through Ayew after a loose Saliba touch, but the Arsenal defender turned on the after-burners to win the ball cleanly with a fantastic sliding challenge.
08:33 PM BST
32 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Arsenal are well in control of general play, but all the while they fail to test Johnstone they could get a punch on the nose. Palace a sporadic threat, but unable to sustain attacks. Arsenal look to Saka as they love to do, but Odegaard then strayed offside.
08:30 PM BST
29 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Arsenal hit the post! Nketiah with a neat touch and turn at the edge of the box, he opened his body up to finish with his left foot, and his effort trickled beyond Johnstone and off the far post. He was just falling back a touch.
NKETIAH OFF THE POST! 😲❌
He CAN'T believe it! pic.twitter.com/HJNlLa9Fxz— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 21, 2023
08:28 PM BST
Sam Dean on Arsenal's attacking approach
Arsenal have made a few attempts already to play long balls over the top to Kai Havertz. The German is part-midfielder, part-target man. None of them have worked yet but it’s clearly a deliberate plan on Arsenal’s part to get Havertz running in behind the Palace defence.
08:27 PM BST
27 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
A couple of decisions for referee David Coote to make in quick succession. Nketiah claimed for a penalty after brushing past Ward, but there was not enough in the challenge. Then Ayew is booked for a sliding challenge on Havertz. Var checks the penalty, and nothing doing. Correct decisions on both counts.
08:25 PM BST
24 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Arsenal with an incredibly long period of possession around the left corner of the Palace box, but without a decisive shot or final pass. You could say it was patient, they flat out refused to throw the ball into the area. You could say it lacked bite.
Ayew once again in space down the right, but his cross was poor and Ramsdale claimed.
08:22 PM BST
21 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Arsenal are playing with a back three essentially, but without wing-backs as such. So Tomiyasu is having to narrow to cover Saliba and then sprint out to deal with Ayew. It is leaving Palace plenty of space down their right. Eze with a lovely piece of skill to wrong-foot Havertz, before Doucoure blasts a shot wide from 35 yards. The Palace crowd are enthused.
08:20 PM BST
19 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Arsenal respond by winning a couple of corners in quick succession. Martinelli taking from the left, and they are clearly targeting deliveries to the near post. The delivery was good but Palace repelled them with strong defensive headers.
08:18 PM BST
17 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
A shaky few minutes for Arsenal. Ben White slipped in the box, and there were half-hearted and unfounded appeals for a penalty. The Palace nipped it to win it high and Eze saw a shot from range saved quite comfortably by Ramsdale. Arteta’s team have had much more possession but have not really had Palace at full stretch.
08:16 PM BST
14 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Palace had Arsenal pinned into a corner, but the away team managed to escape through Saka after the bounce of the ball went their way. Saka found Nketiah on the overlap down the right on the break, but he delayed and took the speed out of the attack. It resulted in an Arsenal corner which came to nothing.
The Ayew looks dangerous against Tomiyasu again, whipping a cross across the face which Ramsdale palmed away at full stretch. Fortunately for Arsenal, no one was there for the rebound.
08:12 PM BST
11 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Saka tried to float a cross into the penalty but it was easily claimed by Johnstone. Moments before that, Saka tried to nod a ball down for Nketiah after a lovely scoop from White, but the striker could not bring it down. Good pressure from Doucoure in the Palace midfield on Martinelli. Neither goalkeeper has had a save to make so far.
08:09 PM BST
8 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Crystal Palace with their first menacing attack after the referee played a good advantage in midfield. Ayew drives at Tomiyasu down the Palace right, and his low cross is hacked away by Saliba. Arsenal deal with the throw in. That at least has the crowd involved again after a rather passive opening period.
08:07 PM BST
6 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Partey tried to fizz a pass out to Saka but overhit it spectacularly and Palace have the throw. They cannot keep it though, and Arsenal are into another long spell of possession.
Palace have done a decent job at preventing any passes into the centre-forward Nketiah or Odegaard, allowing Arsenal around their shape. Arsenal look for Nketiah over the top but he is penalised for a foul.
08:05 PM BST
4 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Arsenal moving the ball around confidently, the game is being played entirely in the Palace half. Partey finds Saka with a cute pass and his cross is headed behind for a corner to the visitors. Headed away at the near post by Eze.
Palace look to hit Arsenal with an early ball over the top, but Ramsdale’s starting position was aggressive and he swept up neatly. Palace still trying to gain a foothold in the contest.
08:03 PM BST
2 minutes: Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 0
Palace fans bouncing, making a racket in the early stages. Arsenal’s back players get some early touches of the ball, keeping the ball under not too much pressure. Decent tackle from Tomiyasu to win the ball back in the first place. Palace back behind the ball in their 4-4-2.
Decent Arsenal opening! Martinelli found himself free as a bird on the left side of the penalty area and Havertz picked him out. The Brazilian possibly took too long to shoot, his effort was charged down, and then Saka saw a follow up blocked.
08:00 PM BST
KICK OFF!
Arsenal get the game started, and straight away it looks like they’re lining up with a back three and Partey and Rice in front of them.
07:59 PM BST
Minute's applause at Selhurst
In memory of Trevor Francis and late Millwall chairman John Berylson who passed away this summer.
07:56 PM BST
The players are in the tunnel
I say tunnel, it is more of an open-air alleyway at Selhurst Park. Lively atmosphere as always, and the players are greeted by some firecrackers. Mr Magoo could see the Arsenal players coming tonight in their neon-style socks.
07:53 PM BST
Zaha gone but the mural remains
At least Palace are not alone - there is also a dedicated Harry Kane mural near the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
07:47 PM BST
The goalkeeper union in action
07:37 PM BST
Hodgson on Olise signing a new contract
It’s always concerning when a club of Chelsea’s stature take interest in a player, and people will suggest that a move to them might be the best bet.
I had always hoped that wouldn’t be the case and that Michael would realise that at such a young age his future here is very bright, and we can help him move very quickly on to another level.
07:32 PM BST
A first outing for this Arsenal kit tonight
Arsenal are wearing their electric yellow away kit tonight, and it fair to say it has divided opinion. Actually, that’s not true at all. There is almost blanket consensus that it looks awful. As you might imagine, the jersey does not get very high up Thom Gibbs’ kit rankings.
07:16 PM BST
Arsenal's goalkeeping debate could be a theme throughout the season
🗣️ "I've never seen it work before, really well"
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher debate Arsenal's goalkeepers 🧤 pic.twitter.com/NIPHVQG7Qj— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 21, 2023
07:13 PM BST
Sam Dean on Arsenal's set up
Mikel Arteta is seemingly going with the same shape that he used against Nottingham Forest last week, despite the loss of Jurrien Timber to a long-term injury.
It’s not easy to describe this formation in the usual way. It’s probably a 4-3-3 without the ball but, with possession, it will be more of a 3-2-2-3, perhaps.
07:11 PM BST
The team news analysed
Hodgson does not yet have the luxury of picking Michael Olise, so no surprise that Palace have picked the same XI that won at Sheffield United.
More surprising is Arsenal’s team news, with Gabriel remaining on the bench. The centre-half had started 73 consecutive league matches for Mikel Arteta going into the season, but there have been reports linking him with Saudi Arabia. Arsenal said his omission against Nottingham Forest was tactical.
Perhaps there is something more going on. Perhaps Arteta wants his team to be more bold and even more attacking this season as teams seek to stifle them. It’s an Arsenal team with just three natural defenders.
07:06 PM BST
Mikel Arteta speaks before the game
Performing well first and earning the right to win the game.
(On Rice’s role) He can play both positions and having that versatility in place is really important. It depends on the relationships we build and the opposition as well.
(On how to get past low blocks) Training, getting used to it, getting better in tight spaces and play at a high rhythm. Don’t get sloppy and starting building too slowly.
07:03 PM BST
Arsenal team and subs
Ramsdale, Partey, Saliba, White, Tomiyasu, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Nketiah
Subs: Raya, Gabriel, Smith Rowe, Kiwior, Trossard, Jorginho, Vieira, Nelson, Zinchenko
07:02 PM BST
Crystal Palace team and subs
Johnstone, Ward, Guehi, Andersen, Mitchell, Lerma, Schlupp, Doucoure, Ayew, Eze, Edouard
Subs: Matthews, Tomkins, Clyne, Richards, Ahamada, Gordon, Riedewald, Rak-Sakyi
06:56 PM BST
Bukayo Saka speaking before his 82nd straight Premier League appearance
It’s definitely a nice record, I’m just really proud to be in the same company as the legends who played for this club.
It’s really important that we start well, we did that last season and we’re looking to do the same.
We know how tough it is to come here, the atmosphere is really good and they have some good players. We’ve had a good week and we just need to continue that.
06:49 PM BST
Roy Hodgson speaking before the game
We’re looking forward to it of course. Arsenal were very good last season and it looks like they will be good again this season.
We’re playing at home and it will be a good test of where we are at this early stage of the season.
I don’t know how front foot we can be if we haven’t got the ball, but when we get the ball we believe in our strengths and our qualities. But we know tonight is going to be a stern test in that regard.
06:47 PM BST
Arsenal's latest signing arrives
How long before David Raya starts his first Arsenal game?
06:39 PM BST
Telegraph Fantasy Football
06:31 PM BST
Our man in position at Selhurst Park
Selhurst Park. Beautiful night for it. pic.twitter.com/1WQYnvNGSE
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) August 21, 2023
06:30 PM BST
Free bets
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06:29 PM BST
Arsenal expected to control possession and territory - will they make it count?
Arsenal used their previous trip to Selhurst Park as a springboard to a title challenge, and expectations are now even higher than they were last August.
Mikel Arteta’s team started last season with a hard-fought, Friday night win at Palace, when they produced an electric opening 20 minutes with new signings Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to the fore. Now Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber (lost to long-term injury) have been added to a squad which won 84 Premier League points, and there is pressure on Arsenal to deliver tangible success after two years of progress.
They have three points on the board after a relatively routine victory over Nottingham Forest, when Arteta introduced some new tactical ideas. Arsenal’s first-choice XI was set in stone last season, but now Arteta has more choices to make as he attempts to ensure his squad lasts the distance. Will Gabriel Magalhães return? Will Thomas Partey continue as a right-back-cum-central midfielder? Will Declan Rice play high or deep? Will Havertz, Eddie Nketiah or Leandro Trossard be picked up front? For perhaps the first time in his Arsenal reign, it is difficult to read Arteta’s preferences. That has potential pitfalls as well as benefits.
Palace were utterly dominant in their opening day win at Sheffield United when they amassed 24 shots on goal and had 68 per cent possession, which is distinctly un-Palace like. In Premier League football in 2023, only Manchester City have conceded fewer than Palace’s 1.19 expected goals per game, so they are very solid in Roy Hodgson’s defensive shape, which tends to be a narrow 4-4-2. Wilfried Zaha has left for Turkey and Michael Olise is injured, so this Palace team does not quite carry the offensive threat of old. That said, the hard graft on Jordan Ayew and Jeffrey Schlupp (who used to be a left-back) could be useful tonight as Palace seek to counter Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the flanks.
Will their defensive rigour frustrate Arsenal or leave the home side looking toothless? We shall see. It feels like the game will be decided by the speed and accuracy of Arsenal’s play around the box.
Full team news on the way shortly.
