Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Crystal Palace.placeholder image
Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Crystal Palace. | Getty Images
Eberechi Eze writes the headlines against his former club as Arsenal strengthen their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal picked up another three points in the Premier League to cement their place at the top of the table with a 1-0 win over London rivals Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.
Oliver Glasner’s side are notoriously hard to beat and warranted that reputation in north London as an organised outing caused the Gunners to struggle for creativity. It was just one moment of brilliance from Eberechi Eze against his former club, a first half volley flying past Dean Henderson, that proved the difference maker.
Mikel Arteta’s side once again got the job done without looking particularly fluid but that won’t matter to Arsenal, who are now a huge seven points ahead of sixth-placed Liverpool. Here’s how the players rated against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal player ratings
David Raya - 7
Next to nothing to do. Did dangerously drop a catch in the second half but recovered well to make sure nothing came of the mistake.
Riccardo Calafiori - 7
If Crystal Palace were going to find a way through on the flank, it probably would have been this one with some gaps between Calafiori and Gabriel. Nonetheless, another clean sheet and the Gunners defensive brilliance continues.
Gabriel - 8
Always prepared to sacrifice his body for the team, taking a chunk of the goal post in his crotch during the second half. Unlucky not to bag himself another goal from a set play, hitting the crossbar with a good header.
William Saliba - 8
His usual self in the first half with a confident showing. Replaced at half-time, which will worry Arsenal fans. Didn’t appear to be nursing an injury before the break so eyes and ears on what Arteta has to say post match.
Jurrien Timber - 9
That was an impressively robust performance in the first half. At one moment, the full-back fought off four Crystal Palace players to win a free kick in an advanced position. That kind of bulldoggish importance was so vital in a gritty match like this.
Declan Rice - 8
Looked to grab this game by the scruff of the neck early on, pressuring Adam Wharton in his own box after nine minutes. It would be wrong to suggest that Rice controlled the game but that was an important performance from the former West Ham man.
Martin Zubimendi - 7
Sat in front of defence nicely. Struggled to find the pass to split the Crystal Palace defence at times but that can be put down to regimented organisation from the visitors.
Eberechi Eze finds moment of brilliance against Crystal Palace
Eberechi Eze - 9
There was only one moment of real quality today and that came thanks to Eze. His scissor kick made the difference against his former club. Moments of brilliance like that warrant the £67.5 million price tag. A deserved standing ovation as he left the pitch.
Leandro Trossard - 6
Did have joy on the left flank. If Arsenal were going to find a way through from out wide, it would likely have been thanks to Trossard. A few too many misplaced passes today.
Viktor Gyokeres - 5
The Emirates Stadium is excited when Gyokeres gets running but those runs need to be converted to an actual goal threat more often. There’s no doubt the striker brings something but, in the Premier League, he must step up and find more goals.
Bukayo Saka - 6
Found it hard to get past a very well organised Crystal Palace side. Brought his usual pace and drive on the counter but no huge goal threat this afternoon.
SUBS - Cristhian Mosquera (8), Gabriel Martinelli (6), Piero Hincapie (7), Mikel Merino (8), Myles Lewis-Skelly (7).
In other news, Thierry Henry's new Arsenal title prediction exposes Edu's biggest failure as sporting director.
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