Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain believes Crystal Palace's defensive shape made it difficult for Arsenal to find their fluency at the weekend.
Despite dominating possession, the Gunners struggled to break down a well-organised Palace side in the second half until Aaron Ramsey scored in stoppage time.
"It wasn't our best performance and we didn't play the passing, fluid football that we like to play," Oxlade-Chamberlain told Arsenal Player.
"They defended from the front and Marouane Chamakh in midfield put in a shift for the team"
"Today was more about getting off to a good start and that was [getting] three points. Credit to Crystal Palace as well because they were half the reason why we didn't play well today and they made it really hard for us.
"They defended from the front and Marouane Chamakh in midfield put in a shift for the team. When they defend from the front, it makes it hard for any team."
Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers made their home debuts on Saturday and Oxlade-Chamberlain was impressed by the new signings.
"I think they've been brilliant for us," he said. "Calum Chambers at the back, at a young age, is playing with so much maturity. To make a big move to a team like Arsenal and to fill in for someone like Per Mertesacker as well as he has done is credit to him.
"Same as Mathieu Debuchy, we know what a good player he is but he hasn't let us down at all since he's been here - he's been outstanding.
"Alexis Sanchez is a great talent and he showed us what he can do out there. I think there's more to come from all of them as they bed into the team and they feel more at home. But they are three brilliant signings and they really are helping us. I'm sure they will for the rest of the season."
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