These are the sort of victories that win you titles. And if you throw in the Eberechi Eze fairytale then it was a brilliant weekend for Arsenal as they won and most of their title rivals lost.
It was surely written in the stars for Eze to score the winner and the former Crystal Palace hero duly delivered with a spectacular scissor kick. Eze is so popular that he even got applauded off by the Palace fans when he was substituted which was a lovely and classy touch.
It was a scrappy, ugly game lacking in quality with Arsenal hanging on at the end after failing to take opportunities to make the game safe. Instead, it finished “1-0 to the Arsenal” and it was fitting that former Gunners boss George Graham was sat up in the directors’ box because you can be sure his famous back four would have approved of another impressive rear guard action.
Incredibly, Arsenal have conceded just three goals all season, they have kept 10 clean sheets in their 13 games across all competitions and even when defenders went off injured they had reinforcements. William Saliba went off at half time, Riccardo Calafiori was injured and then Declan Rice also hobbled off but their replacements came on and played a part.
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Arsenal look so strong in every sense. They have a deep squad, quality back-ups and, in Eze, a player who will only get better as he makes himself at home at the Emirates.
Rock star Jon Bon Jovi was also pictured in the crowd as Arsenal have become a hot ticket, but their title bid already looks a better bet than just Livin’ On A Prayer. Arsenal suddenly find themselves four points clear at the top of second-placed Bournemouth and they are six points clear of Manchester City and seven ahead of Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s men will surely never have a better chance of winning their first title since 2004 and they have a remarkable and resolute mentality.
Viktor Gyokeres epitomised that as much as the defence because, even though the £64m striker did not score, he worked so hard, chased down every ball and held it up so well.
Once again, Arsenal defender Gabriel was outstanding as he stood firm at the back and yet again it was a set piece which produced the winner which was the 11th from a dead ball this season.
The game was never a classic. It was a world away from the excitement and goals against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Arsenal looked a bit flat but it also says a lot about Palace because they are so hard to beat under Oliver Glasner.
But when Arsenal struggle to make headway, they find a way with free kicks or corners. This time it was Rice who put over a dead ball, Gabriel headed back across goal, Adam Wharton switched off and allowed Eze to fire in.
It was a rare moment of quality in a sloppy first half. Arsenal could have scored again just after the restart. Rice’s cross found Gabriel at the back post and his header crashed against the crossbar. Rice had a big chance to score in the scramble afterwards but Palace keeper Dean Henderson made a sensational one-handed reflex save to stop the ball on the line.
Leandro Trossard nearly set up Bukayo Saka but chances were few and far between - especially for Palace. They had possession and good positions but failed to create enough to threaten Arsenal.
If you needed proof of just how good Arsenal have become in defence under Arteta, it is nearly two years - a 4-3 win at Luton December 2023 - since they conceded more than two goals in a single game.
That underlines that Arsenal will take some stopping and that defences really do win titles. Especially on days like these.
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