William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus have been picked out for glowing praise by Ian Wright following Arsenal ’s win over Crystal Palace.
The Gunners kicked off their Premier League campaign with an impressive 2-0 win over Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday night. Gabriel Martinelli headed in Oleksandr Zinchenko’s assist from a well-worked corner before Bukayo Saka’s powerful cross was headed into his own net by Marc Guehi to secure the points.
There were many positives for Mikel Arteta, who saw Zinchenko turn in a great display at left-back in his first match since a £32million move from Manchester City. But it was two other debutants who stood out for former Arsenal striker Wright.
Jesus was full of energy and movement up front following his £45m move from Manchester City, while Saliba was assured on his first Premier League match – three years after he was bought for £27m from Saint-Etienne. The 21-year-old defender has spent the past three seasons out on loan but now looks at ease in Arsenal’s back line.
“Magnificent. He was fantastic tonight. He looks like a brand new signing,” Wright said on Premier League productions about Saliba. “Mikel and Edu have got to take a lot of credit for what they’ve done with this guy. This guy is someone we’ve always thought would be special.
“Even when they sent him out on loan there were fans calling for him to come back. He’s a full international now, he looks composed, calm, he’s got great pace. It’s a decision that was magnificent from Arsenal. It would have been easy to bring him back last year but they gave him the extra season and now he looks like he’s been playing in that position for years.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who was the stand-out player for Arsenal? Comment below.
“At 21, to go to Crystal Palace for the first game of the season and play like that… you don’t want to get carried away but that’s some performance.”
Wright was also delighted with Jesus’ play. The Brazilian striker did not get a goal but immediately looked at home at the top of Arsenal’s team, leading the press and linking up nicely with his teammates.
“It’s the link-up play, it’s the positions he takes up, it’s the threat and the pressing. He looked fantastic,” Wright explained. “He’s one of the best around at closing down, the Brazil manager has said that and Mikel has said it as well.
“He’s a great player and it’s something Arsenal have needed, someone who can be a presence in and out of the box. He continually caused problems. He’s going to score goals for us, you can see that. That’s going to be a massive, massive bonus for Arsenal. He’s a massive addition to the team.”
