Arsenal started their reign as Premier League champions with a routine win over Crystal Palace in a party atmosphere at Selhurst Park.
Both sides named experimental line-ups, with Palace in the Conference League final on Wednesday and Arsenal in Saturday’s Champions League showpiece.
And with nothing on the game for either of these sides – with the title wrapped up for Arsenal in the week – the match, with its lack of intensity and scheduled drinks breaks in the heat, had the feeling of a pre-season match.
Gabriel Jesus, who had missed two good opportunities earlier in the first half, gave Arsenal the lead in the 42nd minute with a tidy finish, before Noni Madueke doubled the score shortly after half-time from a trademark Arsenal corner to wrap up Arsenal’s 26th league win of the campaign.
Palace substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta added a consolation for Palace when he flicked in Yeremy Pino’s cross with one minute of normal time left.
Pino thought he had snatched an unlikely draw when he fired in during stoppage time, but the ball had hit Evann Guessand – who was in an offside position – on its way in, with Palace finishing 15th in the table and six points clear of the drop.
Arteta made nine changes from the side that played against Burnley and named Max Dowman in his starting line-up, with the midfielder becoming the youngest ever player to start a Premier League match at 16 years and 144 days old.
It was also the first time Eberechi Eze had returned to his former club since he left Palace in a deal worth £67m, and the England international was given a hero’s welcome – having scored the winning goal for Palace in the FA Cup final last season.
There was one slight worry for Arsenal as Madueke had to leave the pitch with what looked like a hamstring issue. However, the winger did not look in too much discomfort and will hope to be available for both the Champions League final and World Cup, having been called up by England.
The result of the match was of insignificance for the travelling Arsenal fans, with all of them here just to see their side lift the Premier League trophy after such a long wait.
