Eberechi Eze Sinks Former Club As Arsenal Tighten Grip On Premier League Lead

Eberechi Eze scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal to secure a 1–0 victory over his former club Crystal Palace on Sunday, extending the Gunners’ lead at the top of the table.

Eze’s strike just before halftime at the Emirates Stadium ensured Mikel Arteta’s men capitalized on defeats for Liverpool and Manchester City. The England international, who joined Arsenal from Palace in a £60 million move last August, had scored only once in 10 previous appearances in all competitions.

The win Arsenal’s seventh in nine league outings, further fueling belief that this could be the season the north London side finally ends their two-decade title drought. The result leaves Arsenal four points clear of Bournemouth, six ahead of Manchester City, and seven in front of Liverpool.

Liverpool’s 3–2 loss at Brentford on Saturday deepened the champions’ struggles, marking their fourth consecutive league defeat. Meanwhile, Arsenal have now won seven straight matches across all competitions, conceding just three goals in 13 games and keeping 10 clean sheets.

The only downside for Arteta came as Declan Rice and William Saliba were forced off with potential injuries during the second half.

With rock legend Jon Bon Jovi watching from the stands, Palace started brightly as Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr tested Arsenal’s defence, but the hosts soon took control of possession.

It took until the 33rd minute for Arsenal to register a shot on target, a low drive from Leandro Trossard, before their trademark set-piece mastery unlocked the visitors’ defence.

In the 39th minute, Rice’s curling free-kick found Gabriel Magalhaes, whose header dropped kindly for Eze to fire home an acrobatic finish past Dean Henderson. The midfielder offered a subdued celebration in respect for his former side.

Arsenal pressed for a second after the break, with Gabriel hitting the crossbar and Bukayo Saka curling narrowly wide. Despite more chances from set pieces, the Gunners had to settle for Eze’s lone strike to claim all three points.

Eze left the pitch late on to a standing ovation, warmly applauded by both Arsenal and Palace fans after delivering the decisive blow in a match that keeps Arsenal’s title dream very much alive.