Eberechi Eze's superb volley was enough to beat his former club Crystal Palace and hand Arsenal a seventh-straight win in all competitions as they moved four points clear at the top of the table. Having netted the goal that clinched the FA Cup for the Eagles back in May, Eze netted in front of the red and blue-clad fans once again, albeit this time donning Arsenal's red and white to provide the defining moment of a tight encounter.
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| Image generated using AI to illustrate the match atmosphere. |
Match Summary: A Tale of Fine Margins
The Emirates Stadium witnessed a contest of contrasting styles and limited opportunities, where one moment of individual brilliance proved decisive. The first half produced an xG of just 0.20, the lowest of the first half of any Premier League match so far this season, highlighting the defensive resilience displayed by both sides in what became a tactical chess match rather than an open spectacle.
It took Arsenal 33 minutes to finally string together a move that led to a shot, but Leandro Trossard's low effort after good work by Viktor Gyokeres was easily saved by Dean Henderson at his near-post. Once again, a set-piece routine came to Arsenal's rescue as Declan Rice curled an excellent delivery towards the back of the box, which was nodded back to the penalty spot by Gabriel. From there, Eze produced the moment that separated the sides, connecting with an acrobatic volley that flew past his former teammate Henderson.
The second half saw Arsenal create more opportunities, but Palace remained dangerous on the counter-attack. As the game entered the final 10 minutes, nerves began to jangle around Emirates Stadium as Palace pushed for an equaliser. Skipper Marc Guehi blazed over after a set-piece, while Maxence Lacroix blazed into the Clock End in the first of six minutes of added time. A plethora of long balls from Henderson during that period were bravely repelled by Arsenal's backline who once again wouldn't be breached.
Tactical Analysis: Defensive Mastery Meets Creative Drought
Mikel Arteta deployed his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation with David Raya in goal behind a back four of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, and Riccardo Calafiori, with Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice providing the defensive shield. The attacking quartet consisted of Bukayo Saka on the right, Eze in the number 10 role, Leandro Trossard on the left, and Viktor Gyökeres leading the line.
Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace set up in a compact 3-4-2-1 system designed to frustrate Arsenal's possession-based approach. Glasner's team kept Arsenal silent, restricting them to no sights of goal while springing counter-attacks themselves after winning possession in Arsenal's half or utilising the strength and pace of man of the moment Jean-Philippe Mateta. This defensive organisation proved effective for long periods, forcing Arsenal to rely on their set-piece prowess once again.
The possession statistics told a familiar story for Arsenal, who dominated the ball but struggled to create clear-cut chances from open play. Ten minutes on the clock at the Emirates and Arsenal had 88.8% possession. However, they'd yet to seriously test Dean Henderson. This pattern continued throughout the match, with Arsenal enjoying territorial dominance but lacking the cutting edge in the final third that has sometimes eluded them this season.
Arteta's substitutions reflected the tight nature of the contest. Gabriel Martinelli replaced Bukayo Saka in the 66th minute, while William Saliba exits for Cristhian Mosquera. These changes aimed to inject fresh legs and maintain defensive solidity as Palace pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages.
Key Players: Individual Brilliance in a Collective Battle
Man of the Match: Eberechi Eze
There could be only one recipient of this honour. Eberechi Eze is Ladbrokes' Man of the Match, and rightly so. His goal in the 39th minute was the difference-maker, securing all three points for Arsenal. Despite not registering any assists, big chances created, or key passes, his impact on the game was undeniable. Eze's performance was crucial in maintaining Arsenal's winning streak and their position at the top of the table.
"There is something in your tummy," Arteta said of the feeling a player has up against his former club. Eze certainly caused a few butterflies to flutter around the Emirates with his impressive strike. The midfielder showed remarkable composure to not celebrate against his former employers, demonstrating the respect he still holds for the Eagles despite now wearing Arsenal colours.
Defensive Excellence
William Saliba strolled around the defensive third without breaking a sweat, which made his half-time substitution all the more unexpected. Gabriel played Jean-Philippe Mateta hard and firm, getting on the end of far better chances than Palace's striker was afforded. David Raya continued his exceptional form between the posts, recording yet another clean sheet in what has been a remarkable defensive campaign for the Gunners.
For Palace, Dean Henderson performed admirably despite the defeat, making several important saves to keep his side in the contest. Jean-Philippe Mateta, fresh from his hat-trick against Bournemouth, found opportunities limited against Arsenal's well-organised defence but remained a threat throughout.
Statistical Breakdown
| Statistic | Arsenal | Crystal Palace |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 60% | 40% |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.65 | 0.41 |
| Shots | 11 | 8 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 2 |
| Corners | 4 | 3 |
| Successful Dribbles | 44% | 67% |
Arsenal's 60% possession reflects their control over the game, though Palace did manage to keep it competitive with 40%. The Gunners had a slight edge in corners, with four to Palace's three, indicating their pressure in the final third. What's interesting is Palace's higher successful dribbles percentage at 67%, compared to Arsenal's 44%. This suggests that while Arsenal dominated possession, Palace were more effective in moving the ball forward when they had it. Overall, the statistics align well with the result, showing Arsenal's control but also Palace's resilience.
League Implications: Title Race Takes Shape
Arsenal racked up seven consecutive wins in the league and cup, and are now four points clear at the top of the table. This result represents more than just three points for the Gunners; it demonstrates their ability to win matches even when not at their fluid best, a hallmark of potential champions. The victory marks Arsenal's fourth consecutive league win, all of which have come in fixtures where they dropped points last season.
With chances at a premium, Arsenal's rock-solid defence again held firm to keep a 10th clean sheet from 13 matches this term, and record a fourth-straight league win - statistics that underline their defensive improvement from previous campaigns. Arsenal have only conceded 3 goals in 8 PL games this season, Arsenal's joint-fewest since 1998-99. They are on track to break Chelsea's all-time PL record of 15 goals conceded in a season if they keep this up.
For Crystal Palace, the defeat leaves them in a respectable mid-table position with 13 points from their opening fixtures. While they will be disappointed not to have taken anything from this match, their defensive organisation and counter-attacking threat suggest they have the tools to climb the table as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, Arsenal will face Brighton & Hove Albion, who are 13th with 12 points, on October 29, 2025 at 19:45. This result against Palace will boost their confidence, and they'll look to continue their winning ways against a mid-table side. Expect Arsenal to approach this game with the same intensity and focus, aiming to extend their lead at the summit. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace find themselves in 10th place and will take on Liverpool, who are 6th with 15 points, on October 29, 2025 at 19:45. Facing a strong Liverpool side, they'll need to be at their best to secure a positive result and climb the table.
Fan and Media Reaction
The Emirates faithful witnessed another pragmatic performance from their side, with the atmosphere noticeably tense during the closing stages as Palace pushed for an equaliser. Social media reflected the mixed emotions, with Arsenal supporters relieved to secure three points whilst acknowledging the need for more creativity in the final third.
Pundits have highlighted Arsenal's remarkable defensive record this season, with their ability to grind out results when not at their best drawing comparisons to previous title-winning sides. The performance may not have been vintage Arsenal, but the result maintains their momentum in what promises to be a closely contested Premier League title race.
Crystal Palace fans, whilst disappointed with the result, can take heart from their team's organisation and discipline against one of the league's form sides. The Eagles' ability to frustrate Arsenal for long periods suggests they have the tactical acumen to compete against the division's elite.
Conclusion: Winning Ugly, Winning Smart
Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace may not live long in the memory for its entertainment value, but it could prove crucial come May. This premier league match football encounter demonstrated that Arteta's side have developed the ability to win different types of matches - a quality that separates genuine title contenders from the rest.
Eberechi Eze's winning goal against his former club provided the narrative thread in an otherwise attritional affair, but the real story lies in Arsenal's defensive resilience and their ability to capitalise on limited opportunities. With Manchester City and Liverpool both facing challenging fixtures in the coming weeks, the Gunners have positioned themselves perfectly to maintain their advantage at the summit.
As the North London club prepares for a congested fixture schedule, including Champions League commitments, their ability to rotate whilst maintaining results will be tested. However, if they can continue to marry defensive solidity with moments of attacking brilliance, Arsenal's long wait for a Premier League title might finally be coming to an end.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored for Arsenal against Crystal Palace?
Eberechi Eze scored the only goal in the 38th minute with a spectacular volley against his former club Crystal Palace.
What was the final score between Arsenal and Crystal Palace?
Arsenal won 1-0 against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on 26 October 2025.
How many clean sheets has Arsenal kept this season?
Arsenal have kept 10 clean sheets from 13 matches across all competitions this season.
What does this result mean for the Premier League table?
The victory moves Arsenal four points clear at the top of the Premier League table with 22 points from 9 games.