Arsenal continued their remarkable run of form, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a resolute Crystal Palace side. This win extended their impressive streak to seven consecutive victories and marked their sixth clean sheet in a row, demonstrating the Gunners' formidable defensive and offensive capabilities as they navigate a challenging Premier League title race. Manager Mikel Arteta hailed the win as his team's "most valuable victory of the season," underscoring its significance amidst tight competition.

The decisive moment arrived in the 39th minute through Eberechi Eze, who scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal against his former club, Crystal Palace. The goal originated from a well-executed set piece: Declan Rice delivered a precise free-kick into the box, which Gabriel Magalhães headed down into Eze's path. The England international then unleashed a sublime volley or scissor kick that found the back of the net, leaving Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson with no chance. Eze's celebration was notably subdued, a mark of respect for the club he had represented for five years, including scoring the winning goal in last season's FA Cup final for Palace.

Mikel Arteta was effusive in his praise for Eze, describing the goal as one of the "magic moments" he envisioned the midfielder bringing to the team following his £67.5 million transfer from Palace in the summer. Arteta drew parallels to a similar strike Eze had scored against Arsenal last season, highlighting his innate ability to produce such crucial interventions. The manager emphasized the difficulty of the match, especially coming after a Champions League fixture and against a highly organized Palace team under Oliver Glasner, which made the victory even sweeter and more strategically vital for the Gunners.

The match itself was characterized by a cagey opening 35 minutes, with Crystal Palace maintaining a disciplined defensive shape that stifled Arsenal's penetration. However, Arsenal's growing prowess from set pieces proved to be the key to breaking the deadlock. In the second half, Arsenal pressed for a second goal, with Gabriel Magalhães notably hitting the crossbar, but ultimately held onto their slender one-goal lead until full time. This victory had significant implications for the Premier League table, propelling Arsenal four points clear of Bournemouth, six points ahead of Manchester City, and a crucial seven points above Liverpool, whose rivals Manchester City and Liverpool both suffered losses during the weekend.

Arsenal's defensive resilience continues to be a cornerstone of their success. The team has now gone 385 minutes without conceding a goal, and remarkably, 100 games in all competitions without conceding more than two goals. This defensive fortitude was tested during the Palace game, with center-back William Saliba forced off at halftime due to injury, and new arrival Piero Hincapié making a late debut at left-back. Declan Rice also sustained a knock in the first half but continued to play a pivotal role before being substituted late in the game, further illustrating the team's ability to adapt and overcome challenges.

Eze's achievement of scoring against his former club in his first encounter with them places him in an exclusive club of players who have done the same. This includes Cole Palmer, who scored a penalty for Chelsea against Manchester City in November 2023, causing City to regret his exit. Mohamed Salah netted his 10th league goal for Liverpool against his former club Chelsea in November 2017. Robin van Persie made an immediate impact, scoring his eighth Premier League goal for Manchester United just three minutes into his first game against Arsenal in November 2012. Emmanuel Adebayor famously scored for Manchester City against Arsenal in September 2009, celebrating controversially in front of his former fans. Alan Shearer also scored from a penalty for Newcastle against his former club Blackburn Rovers in September 1996. Eze's goal, in his 13th appearance for Arsenal and adding to his three assists, signals a growing influence and a potentially season-defining contribution, as Arsenal looks to capitalize on these "magic moments" in their pursuit of glory.