Eze haunts Palace as Arsenal bolster title charge
Mikel Arteta noted that Arsenal still possess potential for growth following Eberechi Eze's inaugural Premier League strike for the team, securing a narrow 1-0 victory over his previous outfit, Crystal Palace, on Sunday.
Eze netted towards the end of the opening period at the Emirates Stadium, allowing Arsenal to capitalise fully on recent setbacks suffered by their championship contenders, Liverpool and Manchester City.
The England international had previously managed only a single goal across his 10 outings for Arsenal in various tournaments since his transfer from Palace for a £60 million ($80 million) fee back in August.
After placing second in the league for the past three seasons, this marked Arsenal's seventh triumph in nine domestic fixtures, heightening the sense that this campaign might finally see them lift the trophy after years without one.
Arteta's squad now lead by four points over Bournemouth in second position, and crucially, hold a six-point advantage on Manchester City alongside a seven-point buffer from Liverpool.
Liverpool's 3-2 reverse against Brentford on Saturday has plunged the defending champions into disarray, marking their fourth consecutive league defeat.
In pursuit of their first Premier League crown since 2004 and a first piece of silverware since the 2020 FA Cup success, Arsenal have strung together seven straight victories across all fronts.
The Gunners have shipped just three goals during their 13 matches in every competition this term, featuring an impressive 10 shutouts in that defensive masterclass.
"A huge victory. We anticipated how tough it would be. Full marks to Crystal Palace for their tactical setup. They posed real challenges for us," Arteta commented.
"Eze's skill in that moment was extraordinary. We required a moment of brilliance. We managed to break down a highly disciplined side.
"Failing to add a second put us at risk, yet we limited their opportunities to almost nothing."
Arteta's primary worry stemmed from Declan Rice exiting the field with a limp in the latter stages, after William Saliba could not return post-interval owing to what appears to be an injury.
Encouraging his players to elevate their game further, Arteta stated: "We're only in early October. Emotions are sky-high, but plenty of areas need refinement."
As rock icon Jon Bon Jovi observed from the terraces, Palace nearly ignited the contest early when Jean-Philippe Mateta broke through, though Arsenal swiftly neutralised the threat.
Eze impact
Arsenal required 33 minutes to register their initial attempt, with Leandro Trossard's effort from near the box comfortably gathered by Dean Henderson.
However, Arsenal's expertise in set-pieces and corners has earned them the nickname "Set-Piece FC", and they once more profited from a stationary ball.
They hold the distinction as the sole side in Europe's elite five leagues to have notched 10 goals from dead-ball scenarios this season, having troubled Atletico Madrid similarly in their recent Champions League thrashing.
That figure rose to 11 in the 39th minute.
Rice delivered a free-kick into the Palace box, where Gabriel Magalhaes nodded it downwards for Eze, who executed a fine volley on the drop to steer a deft shot beyond Henderson from 12 yards out.
Eze's subdued celebration, simply pointing skyward with a neutral expression, honoured his old club, Palace.
Cristhian Mosquera came on for Saliba at the break, and Arsenal came perilously close to extending their advantage straight away.
Gabriel's header cannoned back off the bar, falling to Rice, whose effort from point-blank range was parried by Henderson.
The loose ball found its way to Bukayo Saka on the fringes of the box, where the winger nearly curled home, only to see it drift narrowly past the upright.
Gabriel ought to have boosted Arsenal's set-piece tally further by nodding in practically on the goalline, but he directed it astray, an error that led to treatment after colliding with the upright.
After providing a key moment in Arsenal's push for glory, Eze made his exit late on, receiving a warm ovation that even drew applause from Palace supporters.