Having waited three years to make his debut for us, William Saliba was delighted to mark the occasion with three points
An impressive display from the Frenchman saw him awarded Sky Sports’ Man of the Match accolade, as he remained rock-steady at the back despite plenty of Palace pressure in the second half.
As debuts go, it was a dream one for the 21-year-old, and having finally tasted Premier League football, he already can’t wait for more.
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 us to grab a second when Bukayo Saka forced Marc Guehi into an own goal.
Saliba was pleased that he came through his first big test in an Arsenal shirt, but was quick to spread the praise across the team for the performance that brought home a first win of the season.
“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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