Eberechi Eze was the hero of the night as Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. The England international, who spent five years at Palace, delivered a brilliant half-volley six minutes before halftime to give his new club the lead. Below you will see complete information that has been summarized by The Football Insight.
His goal came from another well-executed Arsenal set piece, showcasing the Gunners’ growing reputation as masters of dead-ball situations. Despite the emotional connection, Eze chose not to celebrate his strike against his former team. It was his first league goal in seven games and a moment that reinforced his importance to Mikel Arteta’s attacking setup. With manager Thomas Tuchel watching from the stands, Eze’s performance sent a message of confidence and quality.
Arsenal’s dominance was clear from the start, as they limited Palace to zero shots on target. The Gunners’ defensive strength has now produced five consecutive clean sheets across all competitions, underlining their balance between attacking precision and solid defending.
Arsenal’s Set Piece Mastery Continues to Shine
Mikel Arteta’s long-term strategy to make Arsenal a threat from set pieces continues to pay off. On Tuesday, they became the first team in Europe’s top five leagues to score ten goals from free kicks this season. Eze’s goal against Palace marked their 11th and their 38th set-piece goal in the league since the start of the 2023–24 campaign.
The decisive moment came when Declan Rice swung in a curling cross from the right. Gabriel rose to meet it, but the ball rebounded to Eze, who unleashed a powerful volley past the goalkeeper. It was a goal that reflected both training precision and composure under pressure.
Arteta’s meticulous planning and emphasis on set-piece routines have transformed Arsenal into one of the most dangerous teams in Europe in such situations—a crucial factor in their title charge this season.
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Missed Chances and Defensive Resilience
Arsenal had several opportunities to extend their lead, most notably when Gabriel’s header rattled the crossbar early in the second half. Declan Rice’s follow-up was brilliantly saved by Dean Henderson, while Bukayo Saka’s curling effort flew narrowly wide of the post.
Though the Gunners controlled possession for most of the match, their inability to find a second goal kept Palace in contention until the final whistle. The visitors showed determination, but Arsenal’s defense stood firm once again, allowing almost no clear chances.
Only Manchester City has managed to score against Arsenal from open play this season. That defensive record, built on the partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel, continues to be one of the team’s strongest assets—though Saliba’s injury could pose a short-term concern.
Arsenal Four Points Clear in the Title Race
This hard-fought win moves Arsenal four points clear at the top of the Premier League table, ahead of Bournemouth, and six points above Manchester City following their loss to Aston Villa. Defending champions Liverpool remain a further point adrift, adding more tension to an already thrilling title race.
While this wasn’t Arsenal’s most dazzling performance, it showcased their maturity—winning even when not at their best. Arteta’s men have now recorded seven straight victories across competitions, cementing their place as the league’s form team.
However, the victory was slightly dampened by injuries to Saliba and Declan Rice, both key figures in Arsenal’s system. Still, if the Gunners maintain their focus and resilience, they could finally end their 22-year wait for a Premier League crown. Also take advantage of your free time to explore more of the latest Premier League news with just a click at footballcoasters.co.uk.