2022/23 EPL Season: Arteta, Martinelli Delighted As Arsenal Start With A Win

 

Arsenal began the 2022/23 season with a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Gunners went in front on 20 minutes when, Bukayo Saka’s delivery was nodded back across goal by Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Martinelli headed in.

Aaron Ramsdale made fine saves in either half as Palace pushed for an equaliser.

But with five minutes left to play Arsenal added a second, as Saka’s low cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Marc Guehi.

Mikel Arteta who reached a milestone of 50 wins in the Premier League as Arsenal manager after 98 matches believes his team deserved the win

“The boys look hungry, they really want to win. We had some really good moments, we are really pleased. They put us under pressure and we dealt with it, we were athletic, dominant and sharp from the beginning, we showed resilience,” he said after the game.

Goalscorer Martinelli is equally delighted.

“We came to win so we are very happy. I am pleased with the goal but the victory is the most important thing, we fought until the end and that is the spirit we need. We have a different group now and we are stronger.”

On Saturday, Mohamed Salah will be aiming to score for a sixth successive opening-weekend when Liverpool travel to face newly promoted Fulham.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest visit Newcastle United for their first top-flight fixture in 23 years, while in the late kick-off, Frank Lampard’s Everton host his former club Chelsea at Goodison Park.

Last season’s champions Manchester City begin their title defence with a trip to West Ham United on Sunday.