MART 'N SOUL Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 2: Gabriel Martinelli leads new-look Gunners to opening day win as debutants set the tone

 Gabriel Martinelli’s 20th minute header and a l

ate Marc Guehi own goal were enough to ensure there was no repeat of last year’s opening day embarrassment at Brentford.

And while this backs to the wall triumph won’t exactly have the title contenders quaking in their boots, at least it proved that Mikel Arteta’s youngsters have grown some backbone.

April’s 3-0 capitulation at Selhurst Park proved the spark for the dramatic late season collapse which ultimately cost Arsenal Champions League qualification.

But last night they showed their mettle as they stood tall to defy up and at ‘em Palace.

Arteta has been widely derided for the motivational tactics revealed by the All or Nothing documentary which have earned comparisons to Ted Lasso and David Brent.

But he clearly got his team talk spot on this time as his young scrappers rolled up their sleeves to grind out the victory which leaves them top of the table for at least a few hours.

And no-one epitomised that endeavour more than Gabriel Jesus, the Brazilian street fighter who ran himself into the ground to ensure his Arsenal career got off to  the best possible start.

With seven goals in five pre-season games, Jesus has been in scintillating form since completing his £45million move from Manchester City.

And it didn’t take him long to find his feet in his first competitive game for his new club as he danced through three tackles to set up a glorious fourth minute chance for Martinelli.