Vice-champion Arsenal, reduced to ten, got out of the trap of Crystal Palace (1-0) thanks to a penalty from captain Martin Odegaard, joining at the forefront Brighton and Manchester City, also credited with two victories in two games.
At Selhurst Park, the Gunners had to exercise patience to put down snappy and well-organized ‘Eagles’. And resilience, too, after the severe expulsion of defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, in the 67th minute, which triggered a siege in good standing.
They surprised Palace’s full-back with a quickly played free-kick for Eddie Nketiah, which went deep and was mowed down by Sam Johnstone. Odegaard transformed the penalty by taking the goalkeeper on the wrong foot (54th, 1-0).
The locals also hoped for a penalty when the stirring Eberechi Eze fell in the area, taken by two opponents (72nd), but the judgment of the referee, who remained impassive, was confirmed by video assistance. The VAR also showered their hopes by confirming the very committed but legal, and superb intervention of William Saliba who prevented Jordan Ayew from spinning on goal (35th).
Arsenal’s start to the season is close to perfection, despite narrow successes: victory in the Community Shield against Manchester City (1-1, 4-1 tab), winning recovery against Nottinghm Forest (2-1) and second success in a row in the league on Monday.
Coach Mikel Arteta has problems, however: at left-back, he can no longer count on rookie Jurriën Timber, who suffered a serious knee injury last weekend, and will have to do without Tomiyasu’s next day. . The Japanese received a first yellow card for being late in taking a throw-in, then a second for a very slight foul.
