Arsenal’s Premier League season got off to the perfect start as they ran out 2-0 winners over Crystal Palace at a noisy Selhurst Park.
For the second successive top-flight campaign, the Gunners were put in the opening match. But unlike 12 months ago, when they were outfought and outplayed by Brentford, Mikel Arteta’s side stood up to the challenge.
As they so often are, Palace were backed by a fervent home crowd, but the visitors quickly worked to dim the noise with a fast start. The brilliant Gabriel Jesus almost created the opener after just four minutes, only to see Gabriel Martinelli fire wide after his mesmeric build-up play.
Mikel Arteta didn’t have to wait too long for a goal however and it was Martinelli who provided it. The Brazilian nodded home from close range following a brilliantly worked corner routine.
Aaron Ramsdale then made several good stops to preserve Arsenal ’s lead, before Bukayo Saka’s late cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Marc Guehi.
After losing their first three games without scoring a goal to start last season, this was the ideal beginning to a campaign which must end in a top-four finish. Mirror Football takes a look at the big winners and losers from a strong Arsenal showing in south London.
Winners
William Saliba
It may have taken three years, but Saliba could have scarcely wished for a more impressive Arsenal debut. The fact it has taken more than 36 months to get his bow has been a source of constant debate between fans.
But Arteta - who has constantly suggested the process has been correct - could be forgiven for having a wry smile watching the Frenchman so expertly take to life in the Premier League.
There will be steeper tasks for Saliba than he was presented with at Selhurst Park, but he went a long way to securing a long-term starting berth, even when everybody is fit.
A returning loan player being like a new signing is a cliche that drives supporters mad, however, Saliba may prove to be the exception to the rule.
Gabriel Jesus
For the first time in his Premier League career, the Brazilian will shoulder the responsibility of leading a team’s attack. No longer an understudy to Sergio Aguero, or housed out on the right wing, Jesus is expected to be Arsenal’s main man.
And on this evidence he looks more than up to the challenge. The 25-year-old appeared quicker, sharper and stronger than the player that has represented Manchester City over the previous six years. Arteta was adamant that Jesus was the man he wanted to fill the boots of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - the early signs are that he could do far more than simply fill them.
He may not have got on the scoresheet in south London, but don’t expect him to take too long before breaking his duck for the Gunners.
Aaron Ramsdale
At the start of last season, Ramsdale was still a divisive signing, having suffered back-to-back relegations. A year on, there is no doubt of his credentials as one of the Premier League’s best stoppers.
There was a hairy moment - there often is - during the first-half and he almost allowed Palace back into the game. But when the hosts did threaten to turn the game on its head, it was his sharp saves which snuffed out hopes of an opening day result.
Odsonne Edouard and Ebe Eze were both denied with sharp, instinctive saves despite going large periods without the action directly in front of him. If the Gunners are to hit the next level Arteta is so determined to reach, Ramsdale will have to play a key role.
Losers
Ben White
With William Saliba’s introduction and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury struggles, Ben White was pushed out to right-back. It’s a role he’s not wholly unaccustomed to, having played there at previous club Brighton on occasion.
Now you would think that White wouldn’t want this to be a regular occurrence. He largely did very well alongside Gabriel at centre-back last term and prefers to play at the heart of the back line. Being in there rather than at full-back complements his skillset more.
Thus it was little surprise to see Wilf Zaha get plenty of joy up against him, turning him inside out on more than one occasion. White was booked for hauling back the Palace talisman too.
But that wasn’t his biggest issue to emerge on the night. Instead that would be Saliba being pretty much impeccable in his usual spot. The French international looks like he may just be here to stay and when Tomiyasu returns, White could find himself on the outside looking in.
Granit Xhaka
There wasn't much overly wrong with the Swiss international's performance at the base of midfield. Yes there was an appalling dive that resulted in a booking but this was pretty much a standard display from the former captain. But here's the thing: That's not good enough any more.
With Arteta demanding more and the club's spending this summer having strengthened the squad, players need to be making a noticeably positive impression each week.
And Xhaka, knowing that Oleksandr Zinchenko - yes he played left-back here, but that will be Kieran Tierney's position more often than not - has been signed ostensibly to take his spot, has to step up week in week out. Unless he does, the clock is ticking on him being first choice.
