Arsenal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to BBC Sport after the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace: "Great win. I'm so happy.

"Eddie was fantastic. We said to be on it and try to take advantage of every moment [with the quick free-kick that led to the penalty].

"To play 30 minutes away from home with 10 men is extremely difficult. The subs were magnificent, they knew what they had to do.

"In moments we had players out of position. Some players were suffering physically."

On the red card: "This is the standards. I don't know how long it was. [On being told it was 23 seconds]. It wasn't. I think it was eight seconds. We might have to play with a stop watch. It's OK, we won the game, I'm happy.

"Today we had a difficult one, we overcame it and it will make us better."

Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said: "I love to win like this, the way we played the first-half against a team which is so difficult in open play, but we dominated the game and we condeded nothing."

On Declan Rice he added: "He was fantastic today he dominated the game we asked him to do something new and he was fantastic."

Did you know?

• Takehiro Tomiyasu is the 59th different Arsenal player to be sent off in the Premier League, only Everton (65) have had more in the competition. Indeed, it’s the Gunners’ 14th dismissal in the competition under Mikel Arteta (since Boxing Day 2019), at least three more than any other side.

• Bukayo Saka made his 82nd consecutive appearance for Arsenal in the Premier League this evening, equalling the club record in the competition set by Paul Merson between February 1995 and February 1997.

• Since the start of last season, Martin Odegaard is just the third player to score at least 10 Premier League goals away from home after Erling Haaland and Harry Kane (both 16).

Declan Rice speaking to Sky Sports after the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace: "You look at the clock and there was 20 minutes to go and against a young athletic side it is tough.

"If you want to be up at the top at the end of the season you have to show character and pluck out three points.

"I think it was a massive relief to get through them 20 minutes, we know what it is like at Selhurst Park and we controlled the game completely until we went down to 10 men - we put our body on the line to get the three points."

On time wasting: "At the start of the season we have the referee meetings and they explain the new rules.

"We know if we time waste we will get a yellow card, but the added time can be frustrating at times at the end."

On his role at Arsenal: "Against Nottingham Forest we played a diamond and tonight I was the single pivot and dropped back, the last four weeks I have learned so much, I am learning how we play as team and I am testing myself.

"I am eager to keep learning.

"I want to keep proving people wrong and playing at the top."

Alex Howell, BBC Sport

Arsenal will feel like they really had to work hard to earn their win against Crystal Palace on Monday night.

They should have been out of sight in the first half after Eddie Nketiah’s two chances saw him hit the post and chip over when in the six-yard-box.

Mikel Arteta’s side were clear in the way they played, reverting to a three at the back in possession and with Thomas Partey moving into midfield when they had the ball.

The way they took the lead was a result of quick-thinking and captain Martin Odegaard took his penalty well.

However, after Takehiro Tomiyasu’s red card in the second half it was very nervy for the Gunners.

They were under heavy pressure for the last 20 minutes but their defence held up well. William Saliba, Ben White, and Partey dealt with balls into the box whenever needed.

Kai Havertz went up front for the last period of the game and his hold up play helped to ease the work the Arsenal defence had to do.

When the final whistle went there were big celebrations from Arteta and his coaching staff as they know games like this will be crucial if they are to challenge for the Premier League title. The Arsenal manager will be pleased with the character that his side showed.

Arsenal secured a hard-earned win in their first away league game of the season as Martin Odegaard's penalty proved enough for victory with 10 men at Crystal Palace.

Odegaard converted when Eddie Nketiah was fouled by Palace keeper Sam Johnstone after the break but Takehiro Tomiyasu was dismissed for two contentious bookings with a quarter of the fixture remaining.

Palace rallied and applied late pressure but the Gunners visibly took joy in defending their lead and duly saw out seven minutes of added time, prompting manager Mikel Arteta to punch the air after securing this tricky three points.

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Chris Sutton will be making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of rivals. Next up is DJ, producer and Newcastle fan Anish Kumar.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Arsenal went to Selhurst Park at the start of last season and won 2-0 in what was seen as a statement win, given how often they have dropped points against Palace in recent seasons.

Palace looked good against Sheffield United last weekend and, even at 76, their manager Roy Hodgson showed he is up for the fight in his skirmish with Max Lowe.

Arsenal have got Jurrien Timber out injured, which is a bit of a blow, but I still think the Gunners' firepower will see them through.

Anish's prediction: Arsenal are looking to go one better in the league this year, so they'll have to start strong. 1-3

Find out what Sutton and Anish predicted for the rest of the weekend's action here

Following the news of Theo Walcott's retirement, we asked you for your favourite memory of Walcott during his 12 years at Arsenal.

Here are some of your answers:

Ross: Theo Walcott’s hat-trick against Newcastle, Christmas 2012. Was there that day on what was a Premier League classic.

Jane: I have a very fond memory of queuing in the Arsenal shop with my son to have Theo’s book signed by him in person many years ago. He had a lovely chat with every child there and made them feel very special, Worth every moment of queuing to see my sons face talking to Theo.

Martin: As much as on-field achievements come to mind (his assist for Adebayor against Liverpool in the Champions League), it's when he got injured against Tottenham, they started abusing him, and he responded by showing them that Arsenal were winning 2-0 with his fingers. Quality.

Joseph: 7-3 against Newcastle where Theo scored a wonderful hat-trick that emulated his game. For his third goal, he was wiped out by the defender with everyone thinking 'penalty', but Theo had his own ideas and promptly chipped the goalie - surprising and impressing everyone. What a game!

Joyce: Theo’s response to Spurs fans as he was stretchered off! A wonderful 2-0! Good luck Theo for the future.

Image source, Arsenal FC

Arsenal have revealed their new third kit for the 2023-24 season.

The new shirt has a "mineral green base with collegiate navy shoulders and off-white stylised crest and sponsor logos".

See all the Premier League's 2023-24 kits here

Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has announced his retirement from football, aged 34.

The Englishman made 397 appearances for the Gunners, winning two FA Cups and two Community Shields.

He wrote on Instagram: "Over 18 fantastic years in the Premier league there are so many memories I will cherish - my transfer to Arsenal where I spent 12 enjoyable years and scored over 100 goals."

What is your favourite Walcott memory from his time at the club?

Send us your answers here

Arsenal are considering entering the transfer market for a new defender after summer signing Jurrien Timber was ruled out for the season with a serious knee injury. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Fulham are considering a move for Arsenal's USA striker Folarin Balogun. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Nicola Pearson, BBC Sport

Amid the expectation and optimism of fans to see their new signing on the Premier League stage, Jurrien Timber had his debut cut short on Saturday to what looked like an innocuous injury at the time.

On Wednesday it was confirmed the defender suffered an ACL injury requiring surgery and that he will be out for a lengthy period of time.

The versatile 22-year-old was brought in to provide depth and competition to the side after injuries halted Arsenal's momentum in the title race last season.

So how much will he be missed by the Gunners and who will replace him?

Playing to the left of the centre-backs against Nottingham Forest - despite favouring a more central or right-back role - Timber slotted into Arteta's style of play and before his injury and substitution 50 minutes in, he was matching other players for stats in defence and distribution.

He was second in the side for tackles won and clearances. His passing accuracy was at 89% and his heatmap showed he wasn't afraid to help the team get forward either.

Image source, Opta

But fans will now have to wait to see what he could be capable of over 90 minutes and will wonder who will fill the gap.

Takehiro Tomiyasu could be an option having come on to replace Timber, but having not played a league game since March before Sunday's appearance and lacking pre-season minutes as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, there would be questions about his longer-term fitness.

Being a key player in the last campaign - playing over 2000 minutes of football - Oleksandr Zinchenko would be the ideal choice, but the left-back is yet to return to the starting XI due to injury. He has been training with the team and the Arsenal boss is hoping to having him "available very soon".

Someone who is fit and available is Kieran Tierney, but the former Celtic player - who started 22 league games in 2021-22 - struggled for game time last season and was left out of the squad entirely against Forest. Despite rumours he could leave this summer, Arteta doesn't expect any of his defenders to depart after saying they will "need everybody" now.

With three London derbies before the end of September, including against north London rivals Tottenham, plus a key match against Manchester United, the Gunners will be hoping injuries don't prove costly to their season once again.

Image source, Reuters

Joe Bradshaw, BBC Sport

Mikel Arteta concedes Arsenal have not had a 25-goal-a-season striker on his watch but dismisses suggestions they do not have one available to them.

"We have managed to be competitive without that player," he said, before the trip to Crystal Palace on Monday. "But nobody can sit here and say a player will not score 25 or 30 goals. We just don't know.

"Martin Odegaard scored 15 last season - before that, he'd only get three. We want to encourage our players to understand there is no limit. I am sure we can have players who can score 20."

One man who got off the mark last weekend was Eddie Nketiah, taking advantage of Gabriel Jesus' short-term absence to make his case to lead the line.

The academy graduate scored four Premier League goals last season but his expected goals (xG) was eight, suggesting his play did not get merited rewards.

Is that an issue with shooting accuracy? The numbers say he was only the fifth-most accurate on Arsenal's roster, edging just ahead of Bukayo Saka.

His goals came in a hot streak just after Christmas. With Jesus out, Arteta handed Nketiah his opportunity and he seized it with both hands, until his own injury setback in March.

His goals included two well-taken strikes in victory against Manchester United in January. In that game, Nketiah bristled with threat, having six attempts and five of them inside eight yards.

Image source, Opta

Given Arsenal's propensity to attack down the flanks, having a penalty-box predator - don't say "fox in the box" - is valuable, and Nketiah can fill that role, as he demonstrated again on Saturday.

Can a purple patch be expanded across a season? It's cloudy, particularly given the 24-year-old has barely managed more than 1,000 minutes in any of his seasons to date.

The Gunners need someone durable as well as prolific and clearly there are question marks around their strikers. Ultimately, when fit, Jesus is first choice.

However, Nketiah deserves his chance to lead the line and scoring goals is the best way to keep himself in the XI. Bagging another at Selhurst Park on Monday would certainly repay some more of his manager's faith.

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Image source, Reuters

Mikel Arteta has backed Bukayo Saka to keep improving given his relentless attitude.

The 21-year-old has matured into one of Arsenal's most important players over the past two seasons and, despite his tender age, is already a leader for the club.

Arteta is not surprised by his development and sees plenty more growing room for the forward, who opened his account for the season with a stunning strike in the first game against Nottingham Forest.

"He sets himself new targets and new demands year by year," said Arteta. "He seems to complete those because he is extremely hungry and willing to learn and improve.

"He wants to be the player that decides games every three days. He's a very focused boy and does everything right - the way he prepares himself, the way he trains, the way he lives his life."

The Gunners boss also had praise for summer signing Kai Havertz, who has started both games so far this season.

"He has fitted in really well and I am really happy with what he is bringing to the team," Arteta said. "His intensity, mobility, threat and his understanding of game spaces has been really good."

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Joe Bradshaw, BBC Sport

Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Arsenal’s visit to Crystal Palace on Monday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He is very sad for Jurrien Timber, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Nottingham Forest: "It is a huge disappointment for him and is a big blow for the team. We recruited him with clear intentions and what he was bringing was evident. He is a special character. He knows the extent of the injury and the amount of time he will be out but is in a good place. It will be a long journey."

• He does not expect any of his defenders to leave, despite Kieran Tierney and Gabriel being linked with exits: "This is an opportunity for everybody and we will need everybody, especially in those positions where we are more limited."

• He believes his team can adapt: "These things happen and we have to be prepared. My focus is on getting the best out of the squad we have. We didn't plan for this so we are always open to react in the market and that is what we are doing."

• There is better news on the recovery of Oleksandr Zinchenko: "He is doing very well and has been training with us. Hopefully we will have him available very soon."

• On the signing of David Raya: "What happened to Jurrien can happen to anyone. If Aaron [Ramsdale] did his cruciate, we have to be prepared and proactive. Now, we have two excellent goalkeepers who exactly fit our model."

• He believes Raya's arrival lifts everyone: "To be better, the environment has to be better. When you have to be at 100% every day, believe me, your level increases. We have two great goalkeepers, just like we have two great left wingers, two great holding midfielders, two great strikers. There is no number one - not in any position."

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Spain forward Ansu Fati, 20, has reportedly chosen to leave Barcelona, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham among the Premier League clubs interested. (AS - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column