Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace as his team’s “most valuable win of the season,” especially as the Premier League title race shifts in their favor.
A volley from Eberechi Eze in the 39th minute clinched a hard-fought match against his former club, propelling Arsenal four points clear at the top of the table as both Manchester City and Liverpool faced defeats.
This season, Arsenal has claimed victory in 11 of their 13 competitive matches. Following their recent 4-0 win over Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, Arteta emphasized the significance of this latest win, stating: “I told the boys that I value this victory more than any other this season because we were aware of its challenges.
“After playing every three days, we had a great opportunity with what transpired this weekend. I knew we were up against a team that has recently been one of the best in terms of organization and can frustrate opponents. Once you lose concentration, they will exploit it.”
Eze, who joined Arsenal in a £67.5 million deal from Palace over the summer, received high praise from Arteta for delivering the kind of “magic moments” expected after netting his first league goal for the Gunners.
When asked if it was the sort of impact he was signed for, Arteta recalled Eze’s previous goal against Arsenal while playing for Palace in the same fixture last season.
“Absolutely—his striking ability is evident. He scored a similar goal last year against us, hitting the post directly from a corner,” Arteta noted. “He possesses that talent. Against a physically demanding team that defends tightly, creating chaos and space is crucial for generating significant chances. He executed that moment and the goal exceptionally well.
“That’s what great players do, and he’s undoubtedly a great player. Hopefully, this gives him a boost in confidence to create many more moments like this, as they can define a season.”