Shortly after Ødegaard had sent Arsenal into the lead, Arsenal were reduced to ten men. Takehiro Tomiyasu received his second yellow card – of the somewhat cheap kind – and as VAR does not look at yellow cards, there was no turning back for the Japanese. Thus Arsenal, who had been in full control away to Crystal Palace, were put under tremendous pressure. WINNING: Crystal Palace fans accepted the sending off of Takehiro Tomiyasu. Here they wave goodbye to him as he leaves the pitch. Photo: TOBY MELVILLE / Reuters Crystal Palace tried to make a final push but never came any closer than a shout for a penalty from Eberechi Eze. Arsenal are three points richer and stand with a full pot after two games – thanks in large part to Ødegaard. The Norwegian was both architect and finisher when Arsenal took the lead. – Very smart First he took a quick free kick which Crystal Palace didn’t follow. While “The Eagles” organized the defense before a free kick, Eddie Nketiah started on a run and Ødegaard found him. Nketiah was brought down by Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and after a VAR check the penalty was awarded. – It was a goal created and finished by Ødegaard. It was very smart of him to take the free kick in that way and he set the penalty in an orderly manner, writes the BBC. SAFE: Martin Ødegaard on his way to celebrate after outsmarting Sam Johnstone in the Crystal Palace cage. Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP Several people raised their eyebrows when the team’s regular penalty taker Bukayo Saka gave the ball to Ødegaard, who has only taken one penalty in a match before. It was for Vitesse in the 2018/19 season in a 6-1 win over De Graafschap. Recently, however, Ødegaard took a penalty in the Community Shield match against Manchester City. He was sure then, and he was this time too. Ødegaard feinted out Johnstone who threw himself the wrong way and Ødegaard has opened the goal account for the season. There are sky-high expectations for Ødegaard this season after he scored 15 league goals last season. None of them from the penalty spot. Perfect start Arsenal is one of three Premier League teams to have opened the season with two wins in two games. Brighton and Manchester City are the other two. For the second time this season, The Gunners really had to work for the points: They also made it difficult for themselves last weekend. By then they were in full control with a 2-0 lead over Nottingham Forest, who reduced it to 1-2 and pushed for an equaliser. But then, as now, Arsenal stood the test of time. A new match against a London rival awaits at the weekend: Then at home against Fulham.
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The first goal of the season gave Arsenal victory – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
