Arsenal’s captain Martin Odegaard secured a hard-fought Premier League triumph for his team, as they battled with a player down against Crystal Palace.
Eddie Nketiah drew a foul from Sam Johnstone following Gabriel Martinelli’s rapid free-kick, resulting in a penalty opportunity. Odegaard expertly deceived the goalkeeper, sending the ball in the opposite direction from the spot.
Initially, Mikel Arteta’s squad seemed in control, but their hold on the game became precarious when left-back Takehiro Tomiyasu received a red card for two bookings. The first yellow card stemmed from a delay in taking a throw-in, while the second was awarded for a minor challenge on Jordan Ayew in the midfield, a decision perceived as harsh.
In the dying moments of the match, Crystal Palace exerted pressure, with Tyrick Mitchell’s late attempt going over the bar. Nonetheless, Arsenal, who had previously hit the post with Nketiah’s shot in the first half, fully earned their victory.
With six points from two games, Arsenal joins Brighton and Manchester City in a strong start to the season, while Crystal Palace couldn’t capitalize on their opening-day success against Sheffield United.
Full-Back Woes for Arsenal as Tomiyasu Takes the Limelight
Arsenal finds itself grappling with a full-back predicament. Jurrien Timber, a recent summer acquisition, sustained a knee injury last week that could sideline him for a significant portion of the season. Oleksandr Zinchenko, just back from a calf injury, began the match on the bench.
In a peculiar twist, Tomiyasu, traditionally a right-back, was deployed on the left side, while midfielder Thomas Partey took up a right-back role during Crystal Palace’s possession, transitioning to his usual position when Arsenal regained control.
The game saw Tomiyasu draw attention due to a contentious red card, which will now see him miss the upcoming match. He earned a yellow card for alleged time-wasting during a throw-in, despite it being Kai Havertz who consumed most of the time before relinquishing the ball to his teammate. Subsequently, Tomiyasu received his marching orders for a seemingly minor foul on Ayew, far from any perilous territory, marking Arsenal’s first Premier League red card since the 2021-22 season.
Throughout the majority of the match, Arsenal showcased their superiority, with Nketiah hitting the post and subsequently chipping a shot onto the net’s roof, narrowly missing a lead. Palace’s resolute defense was nearly unbreakable, but their momentary lapse proved costly. During an Arsenal free-kick, Martinelli’s pass to Nketiah caught the Palace defense off-guard, leading to a foul on Nketiah by Johnstone. Odegaard, whose last penalty was in 2019 for Vitesse, confidently converted from the spot.
Declan Rice continued to shine in the midfield following his £100 million transfer from West Ham, while Havertz grappled to find his optimal role within the team.
In the closing minutes, Palace unleashed a flurry of opportunities, with Edouard’s shot saved and Mitchell’s follow-up sailing over the bar after Aaron Ramsdale parried the ball.
