Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta emphasized that there is still room for improvement despite Eberechi Eze scoring his first Premier League goal for the club in a 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace, his former team, on Sunday. Eze’s goal in the first half at the Emirates Stadium capitalized on recent losses by title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City.
The English midfielder, who joined Arsenal from Palace in a £60 million deal in August, had scored only once in his previous 10 appearances for the Gunners. Arsenal’s win, their seventh in nine league games, fuels hopes of ending their title drought after finishing as runners-up for the past three seasons.
The Gunners now lead the league by four points over Bournemouth, with a significant six-point gap over Manchester City and seven points over Liverpool. Liverpool’s recent 3-2 defeat at Brentford added to their struggles, while Arsenal’s seven consecutive wins across all competitions have bolstered their title aspirations.
Arsenal’s defensive strength is evident, having conceded only three goals in 13 games this season, with an impressive 10 clean sheets. Arteta praised the team’s performance against a resilient Crystal Palace side and highlighted Eze’s exceptional technique that led to the crucial goal.
Despite the win, Arteta expressed concern over injuries to Declan Rice and William Saliba. He urged his team to maintain high standards and acknowledged the need for continuous improvement early in the season.
Arsenal’s proficiency in set-pieces was evident once again as they scored their 11th goal from dead-ball situations this season. Eze’s well-taken goal showcased his skill, with his celebration demonstrating respect for his former club.
With Jon Bon Jovi in attendance, Palace threatened early on, but Arsenal’s defense held firm. Gabriel Magalhaes and Eze combined for the decisive goal, with Gabriel unlucky not to add to the lead shortly after hitting the crossbar.
As Eze received a standing ovation upon his substitution, it reflected a significant contribution to Arsenal’s pursuit of the title.