Arsenal made the perfect start to the new Premier League campaign after cantering to a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Friday night.
Gabriel Martinelli broke the deadlock by steering home a close-range header from a well-worked corner routine in the 20th minute. Bukayo Saka sealed the points for the visitors in the 85th minute when his cross was diverted into his own net by the unfortunate Marc Guehi.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta handed debuts to three players for the trip to Selhurst Park; William Saliba was finally given his first taste of league action after three years in the wilderness, while summer captures Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko also made their Arsenal bows. Mirror Football kept an eye on the three debutants to see how they fared in against Crystal Palace.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Although Zinchenko has been mooted for a midfield role after his switch from Manchester City, the Ukrainian dazzled in the left-back berth that he was deployed in more often than not by the reigning champions.
Zinchenko got forward well and was a calming presence on the ball throughout the match. The technically sound ace even managed to mark his Gunners bow with an assist after he peeled into space from a set-piece routine to tee up Martinelli for the opening goal.
Even from a wide position, Zinchenko produced an accomplished debut peformance and showcased some of the playmaking abilities that Arteta is hoping to tap into; highlighting just why the Spaniard was so desperate to reunite with the 25-year-old.
William Saliba
Join the debate! What did you make of Arsenal's debutants in the win over Crystal Palace? Let us know here.
After impressing on loan at Marseille last year, Saliba made it clear that he was determined to finally break into the first-team fold at Arsenal - and he certainly made the most of the opportunity that was finally handed to him.
Saliba brought some much-needed pace and physicality to the Arsenal backline, and the Frenchman was there on more than one occasion to bail his teammates out in the first-half.
The 21-year-old was the standout performer at the back for the Gunners, winning possession the most times and completing the most clearances. And on this evidence, it's hard to see Saliba losing the first-team spot that he's waited so patiently to pinch.
Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal headed into the summer desperately needing to sign a No 9 after failing to land a striker in January - but based on this display, Jesus was more than worth the wait.
The Gunners new £45million man oozed class from the off in south London and was a constant threat with some powerful, direct runs. Jesus threatened to break through in style after a mazy run in the opening minutes, but his off-balance strike was diverted into the path of Martinelli, who fluffed his lines from close-range.
Jesus was in red-hot form during the Gunners pre-season campaign, but clear-cut goalscoring opportunities came at a premium against Palace, particularly after the break. However, Jesus already looks like the part - and the goals will follow.
