Arsenal picked up their first win of the new Premier League season this afternoon, overcoming Crystal Palace 2-1 in a London derby at Selhurst Park.
Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for the visitors with an acrobatic volley, but Joel Ward ensured that the two sides would go into the break all square with a crisp low drive from outside the box.
Connor Wickham struck the woodwork for the hosts after the interval, but it was Arsenal who clinched the decisive goal when an Alexis Sanchez header was turned into his own net by Damien Delaney.
Find out how all of the action unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.
Afternoon all. As you would expect, much of the attention today is on the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City prepare to host Chelsea. But, first up we have the small matter of a London derby as Crystal Palace take on Arsenal at Selhurst Park. With one side full of confidence and the other with a point to prove, it should be an entertaining encounter.
First of all, though, let's take a look at the team news from Selhurst Park, starting with the home side...
PALACE XI: McCarthy; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Zaha, Cabaye, McCarthur, Puncheon, Bolasie; Wickham
PALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Mariappa, Jedinak, Mutch, Lee, Bamford, Murray
The big news for Palace is that Alan Pardew has handed a full debut to Connor Wickham, who will feature as the lone centre-forward. The inclusion of the summer signing from Sunderland means that Glenn Murray has dropped down to the bench. Elsewhere, Yannick Bolasie has been recalled following his return to fitness, while Yohan Cabaye will make his first start in Palace colours at Selhurst Park.
And now for the away side...
ARSENAL XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud
ARSENAL SUBS: Ospina, Debuchy, Gibbs, Gabriel, Arteta, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain
What can we make of those two sides, then? Well, the headline news comes from the Arsenal camp as Alexis Sanchez makes his first start of the season, having only made the bench on the opening weekend due to his involvement in the Copa America with Chile. The forward was the Gunners' standout player last season and having him back will be a major boost to their hopes of kicking on after their false start at the Emirates.
He replaces Oxlade-Chamberlain in one of two changes for the visitors, with the other coming in defence as fit-again Hector Bellerin slots straight in at right-back. Debuchy drops to the bench as a result, where he will sit alongside Gibbs, who again plays second fiddle to Nacho Monreal on the other side of the defence.
Behind them is Petr Cech, who arrived to much fanfare at the Emirates but got his Arsenal career off to a nightmare start on the opening weekend. His arrival was behind much of the hype surrounding Arsenal's prospects this season, but he was at fault for both goals against West Ham, failing to clear a free kick when he came a long way for the opening and being caught out of position for Zarate's strike. He is still likely to earn the Gunners a lot of points this season, but it was not the start he would have been hoping for.
Palace will feel confident of making things difficult for the former Chelsea keeper too, and Connor Wickham, making his first start, will be the spearhead of that attack. He is joined by Bolasie, who comes in for Mutch, as Pardew makes two changes from the side that beat Norwich 3-1 on the opening day of the season.
PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Selhurst Park, which means that it is time for a prediction! Both sides suffered contrasting fortunes on the opening day, and it is Palace who will come into the game as the more confident side. However, with Sanchez back and Arsenal looking for a response, I'm expecting a good performance from the Gunners today, so I'm going to back a 2-1 away victory.
We were in agreement on the Sports Mole sofa regarding that prediction, with both backing Arsenal for one-goal victories. Have a listen to what we had to say in our video preview below:
Recent history certainly sides with Arsenal in this fixture. They are unbeaten in their last 12 visits to Selhurst Park and have only ever lost here onc - way back in November 1979. Palace's last victory against Arsenal home or away came 21 years ago in 1994, and they are winless in their 11 meetings since.
Palace's victory over Norwich was only the second time that they have won the opening game of a top-flight season in the last 44 years, and they have never won the first two games of the campaign in the top division. By contrast, Arsenal have not lost their opening two games since the inaugural Premier League season in 1992-93, when they still bounced back to win an FA Cup and League Cup double.
Right, we're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff at Selhurst Park now. The players are out of the field ahead of what already feels like a very big match from Arsenal's point of view. They could really do with a win, particularly considering they have Liverpool next up.
KICKOFF: Here we go then! Palace are underway at home in the 2014-15 season, where they only managed 21 points last season. Just three teams picked up fewer in front of their own fans.
Fast start to the match from both sides, as Arsenal begin brightly but Palace then launch a counter-thrust and put the Gunners under some early pressure. It is early days, but this game is being played at a very good pace at the moment.
A hint of an early chance for Arsenal as Giroud slides a lovely pass down the left channel. The ball is fed back in towards Giroud, but he can't get his shot away and some desperate defending sees Palace survive.
OFF THE LINE! Brilliant defending from McArthur to deny Arsenal on the break! It is another well-worked corner from Palace after their goal last week, with the ball being floated to an unmarked Cabaye on the edge of the box. He goes for a volley, but the ball is blocked and that allows the Gunners to charge forward. They have numbers on the hosts and work it well, with Ozil playing the final pass to Sanchez. However, he is held up before finally getting his shot away, which McArthur clears off the line.
SAVE! Arsenal are starting to find a bit of space now, and Ramsey is the latest to go for goal. He strikes it from range, but it is easy for the the keeper.
Again Sanchez breaks forward behind the defence having won the ball back just inside the Palace ahlf. However, Souare works really hard to get back at the Chilean, sliding in to make a vital block on the edge of the box.
This has been a very entertaining start to this match, but Arsenal will feel that they should be ahead already. They have had all of the chances so far and are looking the most likely to open the scoring right now.
Better from Palace as they begin to put Arsenal under a little bit of pressure, keeping the ball up at the right end of the field as far as they are concerned.
SAVE! Cech is called into action for the first time this afternoon as he collects a Cabaye strike from range. It bounced just in front of him, but it was fairly comfortably for a keeper of is quality.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal (Olivier Giroud)
Oh my word, what a goal that is from Giroud to open the scoring! The cross arrived to the Frenchman from Ozil on the left, and Giroud did brilliantly to readjust and fire a bicycle kick into the corner. There was nothing the keeper could do about it, and that is the perfect way for Giroud to respond to his critics. Magnificent goal.
This has been a lot more like it from Arsenal so far. They never really got going at the Emirates a week ago, but they seem up for the fight in this match and they are playing well right now. Palace are always dangerous on the break with the players they have, but it is the Gunners who are controlling things right now.
It was Palace's home form that was their main weakness last season, and they are again struggling to really threaten Arsenal here. The likes of Bolasie, Zaha and Puncheon have shown minor flashes so far, but nothing substantial to worry the Gunners just yet.
Decent spell for Palace as they begin to get Bolasie in the game a bit more. He is running directly whenever possible, which is causing the visitors a few problems.
CHANCE! Poor from Zaha as he gives the ball straight to Sanchez in a very dangerous position. The Chilean gleefully accepts the gift before advancing into the box, but his shot from a tight angle is saved by McCarthy. He parries it towards Ozil, but Ward is there to mop up the danger.
Pardew won't be too concerned with how this match is going right now. Arsenal are probably still just about on top, but Palace have shown enough signs that they are capable of threatening. The second goal is absolutely vital in this game.
CHANCE! Big chance for Arsenal to double their advantage! The ball arrives in from the left to Sanchez, but he can't get over his header and sends a poor effort off target. He should have done better there.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-1 Arsenal (Joel Ward)
I said the second goal would be crucial, and it has gone the way of Palace from an unlikely source! Puncheon delivered the ball from the left to Bolasie, who chested it down for McArthur. The midfielder has his back to goal and is unable to shoot, so instead lays it off for Ward, who drills a crisp strike right into the bottom corner from around 20 yards. Brilliant finish from the defender.
That goal has boosted Palace, and they are playing with the fluidity and verve that we have become used to seeing with Pardew in charge now. The crowd is getting behind them too, and the momentum is very much with the hosts at the moment.
A hint of a penalty shout for the hosts as Zaha tumbles following a tangle with Monreal, but the winger makes nothing of it and rightly so. Arsenal quickly break at the other end, but Giroud's finishing touch is askew as he fires a tame effort wide of the target.
This game is hanging right in the balance at the moment. It is a very entertaining tussle between these two London rivals, with both sides intent on attacking every time they get the ball. I would be very surprised if we've seen the last of the goals here.
CHANCE! Big chance for Arsenal to regain the lead! They break quickly once again and Sanchez feeds the ball to Ozil, who is in acres of space down the left. The German plays a low cross into the box for an unmarked Ramsey, who tries the deftest of flicks towards the bottom corner. However, McCarthy makes a super stop down low to his left, and Palace eventually clear the danger fully.
Arsenal have looked most threatening on the counter-attack so far, which is usually the strength of this Crystal Palace side. The visitors are still just about on top, but it is a fairly even contest at the moment.
Arsenal win a free kick on the left flank and the delivery goes all the way through to Sanchez at the back post. He tries to work a yard but sees his eventual shot blocked, and Palace require two more last-ditch blocks before the pressure finally relents briefly in the form of an Arsenal corner.
YELLOW CARD! Lee Mason goes to his book for the first time this afternoon, showing a yellow card to Coquelin for a sliding challenge on Bolasie. No complaints there.
Arsenal have scored in the 45th minute of their last two meetings with Palace, and another one on the stroke of half time here could have a major impact on the game. It is finely balanced right now, but it is the Gunners who are asking most of the questions in the closing stages of this half.
Coquelin needs to be careful here! He trips Zaha is a cynical challenge that, ordinarily, would be a nailed-on yellow card. Lee Mason opts against giving him a second yellow, but he is walking a tightrope at the moment.
YELLOW CARD! McArthur picks up a late yellow card for a trip in midfield, which only furthers the crowd's indignation over Coquelin escaping punishment.
HALF TIME: Crystal Palace 1-1 Arsenal
The referee brings an end to the first half at Selhurst Park, and it is honours even in this London derby as Palace and Arsenal go into the break at 1-1. It has been a good, entertaining 45 minutes of football so far, and it is finely poised at the halfway stage. Arsenal have been marginally on top, but it is finely poised right now.
The opening goal went the way of the visitors, and it was some strike from Olivier Giroud. Ozil was the provider with a cross from the left, but it was all about the finish from the Frenchman as he readjusted his body to fire an acrobatic volley into the bottom corner.
The Palace goal wasn't bad either, with Ward levelling the scoring shortly before the half-hour mark. Puncheon, Bolasie and McArthur combined to set up the full-back, who fired a low first-time strike into the bottom corner. There was nothing Petr Cech could do about the strike, and in truth the former Chelsea keeper hasn't had too much else to do.
The hosts haven't played badly by any means, but they are perhaps a little fortunate to go into the break all square. Arsenal have been much better than they were against West Ham last time out and all of the chances have fallen their way, but some desperate defending from Palace has denied them for adding to Giroud's goal thus far. McArthur in particular cleared one off the line early on from Sanchez that could have got Arsenal off to the perfect start.
Sanchez has had a few sights of goal so far, putting a header off target when he should have done better and also testing McCarthy with a low drive after being gifted the ball by Zaha. The closest Arsenal have come to a second goal came from Ramsey, though, with the midfielder's deft flick being kept out by a good reaction save from McCarthy.
KICKOFF: Arsenal get us back underway for the second half, and there is news of a change for Palace. Jordon Mutch comes on at the break in place of Bolasie, who picked up a knock in the first half.
OFF THE POST! What a start to the half this has been for Palace, and they are inches away from taking the lead! This time the cross arrives from the right side, with Zaha the man to deliver it. Wickham, who hasn't really been in the game much so far, gets in front of his man and fires towards goal but, with Cech rooted to the spot, the ball bounces back off the upright.
Lovely football from Arsenal as they pass the ball about while advancing in Palace's half. Ramsey plays the final ball when he could have perhaps shot, and a combination of Dann and Souare get the ball behind for a corner.
Magnificent from Ozil as he plucks the ball from the air before flicking it past Souare. The Palace defender is bamboozled and can only bring the German down having been utterly outclassed by that brilliant piece of play.
Sight of goal for Arsenal from a corner, but neither Sanchez or Giroud can get enough on it. The delivery came in from the right and Giroud did well to hold his man off before trying another flick similar to his goal. However, the effort lacks any sort of power and it is easy for McCarthy to collect.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal (Alexis Sanchez)
Arsenal regain their lead, and it could well go down as an own goal. The ball was stood up towards the back post and Sanchez raced in, climbing too easily above Ward to win the header. His initial effort was on target, but in his attempt to clear the danger, Delaney fires it into his own net past a helpless McCarthy.
Unfortunately for Delaney, that one should go down as an own goal. The defender completely changed the direction of the ball and it was by no means certain that Sanchez's header was going in.
CHANCE! Good opportunity for Palace to equalise immediately, but Puncheon just can't get enough on his finish. The midfielder's first touch was perfect to take him beyond Bellerin and into the box, but his finish lacked power and Cech is able to make the save.
Palace have responded well to falling behind again, immediately getting themselves on the front foot and putting Arsenal under pressure. They have half an hour left to find a way back into this one now.
Coquelin is really walking a tightrope now. He commits another foul which has the crowd calling for a second yellow card, but once again Lee Mason makes the right decision in not dismissing the midfielder. That is his last warning, though, and one more foul could see him depart.
ARSENAL SUB: Pre-emptive measures from Arsene Wenger here as he drags Coquelin off before he is sent off. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the man who replaces him.
As expected, that change has seen Ramsey drop into a deeper role alongside Cazorla, with Oxlade-Chamberlain going out to the right flank. It was a surprise not to see Oxlade-Chamberlain in the starting lineup following his impressive performance against West Ham, but he has another chance to impress now.
CHANCE! Good chance for Arsenal to give themselves a cushion, and it is some more fluid football that creates the opening. Ozil and Ramsey are both heavily involved, with the German chipping the ball into the box for the latter, who lashes a powerful first-time strike on the turn over the top.
Arsenal are doing a good job of controlling this game right now, taking the sting out of any potential Palace response. Their performance has been a lot better today than it was on the opening weekend against West Ham.
Good defending from Delaney, who finds himself isolated up against Oxlade-Chamberlain. He holds the winger up well, however, before making a very good block when the England man eventually went for goal.
CHANCE! Good spell for the hosts, who win a free kick following an untidy passage of play. Arsenal fail to get it completely clear and Puncheon feeds it back into the box, where Wickham controls it before lashing his strike off target.
ARSENAL SUB: The Gunners make a change and it is a Premier League return for Mikel Arteta, who spent much of last season on the sidelines. He replaces Sanchez, who is still building back up to full match fitness after his involvement in the Copa America.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUB: The hosts make a change of their own, with Lee Chung-yong coming on in place of Zaha for the final 13 minutes.
Palace have just over 10 minutes to get another equaliser here, and it is the hosts who are seeing more of the ball right now. Arsenal are content to just contain Palace at the moment and they look to close out a first win of the season.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUB: Attacking change from Pardew as Patrick Bamford comes on for his Palace debut, replacing McArthur.
Bamford's first involvement is to drag down Arteta having been closed down quicker than expected. The forward was the Championship Player of the Year last season, but it will be interesting to see how he makes the step up to the top flight now.
ARSENAL SUB: A third and final change for the visitors as Kieran Gibbs replaces Ozil. Defensive thinking from Wenger.
Any concerns that Arsenal would be lacking a ball-winner in midfield after Coquelin's departure have been put to bed by Arteta here. He has been very quick into the challenge during his cameo so far, regaining possession for his side on more than one occasion.
CHANCE! Palace threaten an equaliser from a corner, with Dann amongst those in the midst as the ball was swung right into the danger zone. The ball was flicked on, but Mutch couldn't react in time to turn it home from close range, instead putting his header over the bar.
CHANCES! I said Arteta had made a few challenges so far, but none more important than this one. Souare cross was knocked into the path of Lee by Wickham, but the Korean took one touch too many, trying to cut back inside rather than going for goal. That allowed Arteta to get a foot in and put the ball behind for a corner, from which Ward plants a firm header right into the arms of Cech.
SAVE! Palace are going for this one now, which is leaving them open on the break. Arsenal come forward with a counter, but McCarthy sticks out a foot to keep out Cazorla's low effort from inside the box.
Arsenal have three minutes of stoppage time to hold out for now.
CHANCE! Big chance for Arsenal to wrap it up once and for all late on as the ball eventually squirms into the path of Oxlade-Chamberlain, but McCarthy makes a good save.
FULL TIME: Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal successfully see out the victory to claim their first points of the new season, overcoming a tricky test at Selhurst Park with a 2-1 victory. Their performance was vastly improved from the opening weekend, and there is once again cause for optimism amongst the Gunners' faithful after their false start a week ago.
Arsenal took the lead in style through an acrobatic Olivier Giroud volley, but they were pegged back before the break as Ward drilled a crisp, low strike into the bottom corner. The decisive goal will probably go down as an own goal in the end, with Delaney turning Sanchez's header into his own net when attempting to clear the ball.
That is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's London derby as Arsenal pick up their first win, and first points of the season at the expense of Crystal Palace. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. There is more football on offer for you in the form of Manchester City vs. Chelsea, coverage of which is already underway. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
