Arsenal defender William Saliba was pleased with a winning debut at Crystal Palace last night.

Gabriel Martinelli's header and a Marc Guehi own goal at opposite ends of the game secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory.

Speaking post-match, he said: “It was very good because we start with a win and a clean sheet. It was a tough game, but we won at the end, so very good. I've waited a long time, but we (did it) in my first ever game, and I am so happy.

“It's very good when you start to have your first (chance) in this amazing club. So I am so happy, and hungry for more."

Saliba and his fellow defenders were pegged back for a lot of the second 45 as Patrick Vieira's side pushed hard for an equaliser after falling behind to Gabriel Martinelli's opener, but their organisation helped set the platform for the visitors to grab a second when Bukayo Saka forced Marc Guehi into an own goal.

“We knew it would be a very hard game, but we were prepared and we were focused," he added. “It's good for the confidence, it's very good and I hope we will keep going like this.

“We play as 11 and the players who came home, they gave their maximum. It's a good team, when we play like this it's very good.

"We have to enjoy tonight, but beginning tomorrow we have to be focused on the next game because it's not finished, it's just the first game."

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