Crystal Palace lost to Arsenal in the London Derby as Martin Odegaard scored while Takehiro Tomiyasu got sent off.
The Gunners went to South East London to take on Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday evening on August 21, 2023.
Mikel Arteta’s men hoped to maintain their 100 percent start to the new season against their London rivals, and they only needed to play better than they did against Nottingham Forest to get what they hoped for.
Arsenal suffered the loss of new signing Jurrien Timber to injury following their victory over the weekend in the first half of their opening game, while they also remain without both Mo Elneny and Gabriel Jesus.
The last season’s premier league runner-up team secured a 2-1 victory over the weekend at Emirates Stadium to start the 2023/2024 Premier League campaign.
The Gunners led by Mikel Arteta went into the match as the first most successful London club with 150 derby wins, a win ahead of Chelsea, who have secured up to 149 wins in London derbies.
Since 1994, there have been 20 games between the teams of Arsenal and Crystal Palace, with 14 victories for Arsenal and 8 ties.
Starting Lineups
Crystal Palace XI: Sam Johnstone, Joel Ward, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell, Cheick Doucoure, Jefferson Lerma, Eberechi Eze, Jeffrey Schlupp, Odsonne Edouard, Jordan Ayew.
Arsenal XI: Aaron Ramsdale; Thomas Partey, Ben White, William Saliba, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal kicked off the match, it appeared that they are setting up with Partey and Rice in front of a back three.
In the first 5 minutes, Arsenal started on the left side of the penalty area, Martinelli was as free as a bird, and Havertz located him.
The Brazilian’s attempt was knocked down after he took too long to shoot, and Saka’s follow-up was also blocked.
The game was largely being played in the Crystal Palace half, with Arsenal easily passing the ball about.
Early on, Palace attempted to attack Arsenal with a ball over the top, but Ramsdale’s aggressive starting position allowed him to cleanly sweep up the ball.
During the 10 minutes of play, Bukayo Saka attempted to float a cross into the penalty area, but Johnstone quickly claimed it.
Moments earlier, after a magnificent scoop from White, Saka attempted to nod a ball down for Nketiah, but the striker was unable to get it down.
Crystal Palace had a few chances against the visiting team but the Gunners responded well.
Arsenal quickly and successfully won a few corners. Martinelli was shooting from the left, and they are obviously aiming for close-range deliveries.
Palace resisted them with powerful defensive headers despite the wonderful delivery.
Eddie Nketiah hit the post in 30 minutes of play at the edge of the box, he turned and touched the ball neatly before opening up his body to finish with his left foot. His effort slipped past Johnstone and off the far post.
Arsenal were in complete control of the game as a whole, but because they never put Johnstone to the test, they run the risk of being punched in the nose.
Palace poses a periodic threat, but they cannot withstand sustained attacks. Arsenal frequently looks to Saka, but Odegaard was caught offside.
Nketiah blew another excellent opportunity for Arsenal in the 40 minutes of play.
Declan Rice’s crossed the line and found Nketiah at the edge of the box was excellent, but when he tried to lob Johnstone from a tight angle, he completely misfired.
Palace were content to maintain the ball and wait for the final whistle as the first half ended in Arsenal territory.
Both sides struggled to see the back of the net before the halftime whistle was brown.
The second half started on a high note for the home team as Palace looked to play long for Ayew but there was a lack of accuracy to Andersen’s pass and Arsenal were given a throw in their own half.
Arsenal were given a penalty after VAR intervention and Martin Odegaard put the ball in the right direction with an ice-cold finish to break the deadlock.
Tomiyasu was booked in 60th minute of play for taking 23 seconds to take a throw-in.
Arsenal’s offense picked back up, and Thomas Partey wounded Johnstone’s hands with a sweeping shot that the Palace goalkeeper pushed over the crossbar.
Tomiyasu was sent off in 70th minute of play after a contact between him and Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew.
There was a controversy at Selhurst Park when a loud Palace player’s appealed for a penalty after Eze skipped past Partey in the area.
Coote, the official referee decided that there was no contact, VAR also checked, and no changes in his decision.
In the 90 minutes, two changes were made by Arteta with Kiwior and Zinchenko replacing Odegaard and Saka. Zinchenko immediately assists Arsenal in keeping the ball in the Palace half before 7 minutes were added by the official.
What’s next for Crystal Palace and Arsenal?
Crystal Palace will travel across London to face Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday, 26th of August.
Arsenal, on the other hand, will lock horns against Fulham at Emirates Stadium on August 26, 2023.
