Arsenal secured their first win of the Premier League season by beating Crystal Palace 2-1 on Sunday.
Arsene Wenger's Gunners quickly recovered from their disappointing opening weekend home defeat to West Ham United by toiling hard for a narrow victory over the impressive Eagles at Selhurst Park.
Olivier Giroud got the ball rolling in the 16th minute when he produced a classy side volley from Mesut Ozil's left-wing cross, striking the ball perfectly with the inside of his left boot, to send it past a desperate Alex McCarthy.
Alan Pardew's Palace hit back just before the hour-mark when Joel Ward thundered a low effort from outside the area past a hapless Petr Cech but the visitors fought back 10 minutes into the second half.
Alexis Sanchez, who has been busy throughout, rose above his marker to send a header towards goal which Palace defender Damien Delaney diverted into his own net allowing the Gunners to take hold of all three points.
Arsenal are now sitting 11th on the table with Palace seventh despite being on the same points.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Crystal Palace: 1 (Joel Ward 28')
Arsenal: 2 (Olivier Giroud 16', Damien Delaney (OG) 55')
Selhurst Park, London - 24,732
TALKING POINTS
- Can this be the win that really gets Arsenal back on track after a poor start?
- Are Palace are serious side this season? Can Pardew guide them safely into the top half?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Arsenal will be eager to make amends at home when they host Liverpool at the Emirates on Monday night as Palace look ahead to their Saturday afternoon meeting with Aston Villa in South London.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Vamos por más arsenal We are going for more arsenal https://t.co/sOM9M1rBiN
— Alexis Sánchez (@Alexis_Sanchez) August 16, 2015Good solid team performance today! #AFCpic.twitter.com/F3vR5p6erw
— Aaron Ramsey (@aaronramsey) August 16, 2015Great to get on the score sheet today although gutted about the result, atmosphere was amazing #cpfc we go again next week.
— Joel Ward (@joelward20) August 16, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Arsenal's Wenger on his team's return to winning form:
"We have shown our strong response and we have shown different aspects in our game that are vital in the Premier League."
Palace boss Pardew on the improvement his side will soon show:
"My exuberant players are just below their levels, in my opinion. They're not quite there yet physically.
"When we get up to speed, we'll be better than we were today."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
54 - Mesut Özil found a team-mate with all but one of his passes today against Crystal Palace. Controlled.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 16, 20152-1 - The last three PL games between Crystal Palace and Arsenal have all finished with a 2-1 win for the Gunners. Familiarity.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 16, 2015
TEAM LEADERS
ARSENAL
Goals - Olivier Giroud 1
Assists - Mesut Ozil 1
Yellow cards - Nacho Monreal, Francis Coquelin 1
PALACE
Goals - Wilfried Zaha, Damien Delaney, Yohan Cabaye, Joel Ward 1
Assists - James McArthur 2
Yellow cards - James McArthur 1
