Arsenal ‘got away with an electric 20 minutes’ in Premier League opener – because Crystal Palace ‘lacks an Ian Wright’

Arsenal’s performance at Crystal Palace has been called into question despite a 2-0 win for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta’s side took a one-goal lead on the opening night of the Premier League season, making a brilliant start to the campaign.

Gabriel Martinelli steered the visitors to a deserved 20th-minute lead and it looked like Arsenal could get away with the game.

However, for the next 65 minutes, Palace put on the pressure and fended off two glorious scoring chances through Osdonne Edouard and Eberechi Eze.

In the end, the Gunners doubled their lead when Marc Guehi turned Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own net in the 85th minute, glossing over alarming moments for Arteta’s side after that quick start.

“Arsenal gave everyone a taste of what they are capable of in those first 20 minutes, they were electric,” former Premier League striker Dean Ashton said in commentary for talkSPORT.

“But there were long stretches in this game where they felt like they were just surviving, rather than having control of the game and dominating away from home.

“It was like they survived and maybe they got away with a result. Vieira will want to do business in the next few weeks because Palace seem a bit light on quality, but there’s nothing wrong with the effort.

And former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy believes that while Arsenal will be in the headlines, the real questions lie at Palace.

He argues the Gunners have been let down by a lack of firepower up front for the hosts, referring to legendary striker Ian Wright – who played for both clubs.

“They had no real quality,” Cundy told talkSPORT. “There will be tougher working nights for Arsenal.

“Every season I feel like I’m saying the same thing, in front of goal they just seem to be missing an Ian Wright.

“It’s the kind of edge they lack. Between the two goals, Arsenal didn’t do much.

But former England striker Carlton Cole insists it doesn’t matter how you win on the opening day of a new season.

He told talkSPORT: “The first game of the season is very, very hard to get your bearings.

“Away from Palace, it’s a tough outfit to break. Last season Arsenal went down to Brentford so that’s a good sign.

“No matter how they did it!”