Saliba and Arteta react after Arsenal beat Crystal Palace.

Saliba was part of a back four that had to show strength in the thick of the Eagles' threat before Guehi's own goal in the 85th minute.

Arsenal defender Saliba put in an impressive display at Crystal Palace. [Sky Sports Screen Shot]

Arsenal defender William Saliba expressed his delight after making his Premier League debut at Crystal Palace on Friday night.

The 21-year-old centre-back, who has spent most of his three years at the club out on loan, produced a fine defensive display against the Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Gunners thrashed Patrick Vieira’s Eagles 2-0 as a 20th-minute header by Gabriel Martinelli and a Marc Guehi own-goal meant Arteta’s side went home with all three points.

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After the clash, Saliba told Sky Sports: "We knew it would be hard here but we were strong and solid. I've waited a long time to make my debut and I'm happy to start with a clean sheet and a win. It's important for confidence."

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Former Manchester United defender said of the Arsenal defender, who he named man-of-the-match: "I was massively impressed with Saliba. He’s such a young defender at 21. Getting through that second half, when Arsenal weren’t at their best, would have been the most pleasing thing for Mikel Arteta."

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'We want to build a mentality' - Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Saliba, who was part of a back four that had to show strength in the thick of the Eagles' threat before Guehi's own goal in the 85th minute handed the Gunners three points.

Arsenal boss Arteta was impressed by Saliba's performance [Sky Sports Screen Shot]

Arteta said: "Saliba was superb tonight. The way we started the game and played in the first half hour was superb - we should have scored more. We had to play the game in ways we didn’t want to as it went on because Palace are able to do that to you. To win here, you need to suffer - we’ve done it and that’s part of the mentality we want to build, to come to places like this and win.

"The most important thing is to win the first match, to build confidence and momentum, and then you can talk about things we need to improve - there were quite a few today, to be honest."

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