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Football: Arsenal 2 – 1 Crystal Palace at Ashburton Grove

Despite their first day-one victory for five years, DOUGLAS BEATTIE sees Arsenal struggling to beat the managerless Eagles

Arsenal chalked up an opening day victory for the first time in five seasons but they were made to work mighty hard against managerless Crystal Palace.

It took a stoppage time strike from Aaron Ramsey to break the Eagles’ resistance after the home side had huffed and puffed their way through an encounter in which they carried little real goal threat. 

A relieved Arsene Wenger — who started with the same XI as those who defeated Manchester City in the Community Shield — said his men had lacked fluency but “kept going” and “done enough to win the game.”

Looking ahead to the first-leg of the Champions League play-off tomorrow night in Istanbul the Gunners boss said “we got the three points we wanted now lets focus on Besiktas.”

This was a frustrating end to a difficult week for Palace, having seen manager Tony Pulis walk out of the club. 

A draw would not have been an unfair result and stand-in boss Keith Millen said he was “proud of the players” suggesting the performance showed they “can compete at this level.”

Millen also refused to rule himself out of the running for the job on a full-time basis. 

The 47 year-old, who took over the reigns on Thursday, suggested he had the requisite experience but would “speak to the chairman” — Steve Parish — as soon as possible to clarify his own situation. 

Defeat in north London would have done his credentials little harm, having seen Palace take a shock lead ten minutes from the break with a header from Brede Hangeland on his debut.

Arsenal then hauled themselves level on 45 minutes, also via a header from another centre-half — Laurent Koscielny — one of the stand-out players for the home side. 

In a match short on clear-cut chances former Barcelona attacker Sanchez had a tame effort smothered by Julian Speroni with just over 20 minutes left on the clock.

Things changed when the Eagles were reduced to ten men with just two minutes remaining, Jason Puncheon being dismissed as a result of a late lunge on Nacho Monreal. 

It was then left to Ramsey to seal the win with a low drive following a scramble in the box in the final seconds. 

This sparked celebrations from those in red around the ground but rightly Palace and their raucous support were able to depart with heads held high.

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