A stunning scissor kick by Olivier Giroud set Arsenal on its way to a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace and a first victory of the Premier League season on Sunday.
It required an own goal in the 55th minute from Palace defender Damien Delaney for Arsenal to clinch all three points at Selhurst Park and rebound from a surprise opening-round home loss to West Ham.
Giroud put Arsenal ahead in the 16th when the France striker met Mesut Ozil’s left-wing cross with a flying left-foot volley into the bottom corner.
ALSO READ: Manchester City vs Chelsea Live, EPL 2015
Joel Ward equalized with a drilled shot inside the far post from meters in the 28th, but the Palace right back was beaten in the air by Alexis Sanchez, whose header was turned into the net by the stretching Delaney.
“Of the game, I believe that we’ve shown our strong response (to the opening day loss to West Ham). We have shown different aspects in our game that are vital in the Premiership. We had a good fluent game in the first half. When they came back to 1-1 (it) was a mental test to see how we respond after the defeat last week. We managed to find a second goal and after that, in the final part of the game we had just to dig in and to fight, and we did it as well. So, I’m pleased because we have shown many different aspects that will be very important in the season,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in a post match interview.