LONDON — Arteta’s “Magic Moments” Shine Through
Mikel Arteta recently referred to the “magic moments” that player Eberechi Eze brings to his team, and on Sunday, during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace, those words rang true.
Palace, who are all too familiar with Eze’s abilities, were reminded of his impact once again. The 27-year-old midfielder culminated his five years with Palace by scoring the winning goal in last season’s FA Cup final, a memorable achievement that left an impression.
This time, however, it was Arsenal who benefited from Eze’s talents. Declan Rice delivered a free kick in the 39th minute, and the ball fell perfectly for Eze, who volleyed it into the corner of the net, leaving Palace’s goalkeeper Dean Henderson rooted to the spot.
Ironically, Eze’s goal resembled one he scored against Arsenal in a 2-2 draw last season, which had severely impacted Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations. Six months later, Eze’s decisive strike allowed Arsenal to pull four points clear at the top of the league.
Arteta praised Eze’s striking abilities and emphasized the importance of players stepping up in the absence of key figures like Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal’s captain. “He showed great skill and composure in that moment,” said Arteta. “We know how difficult it is to create chances against teams that defend so physically. But he took the opportunity incredibly well.”
The need for such “magic moments” is crucial for Arsenal, who rely on solid defense and effective set pieces. Unfortunately for Palace, a lapse in judgment led to a preventable foul by Yeremy Pino on Bukayo Saka, granting Arsenal the free kick that ultimately resulted in the goal.
After scoring, Eze hesitated briefly to celebrate against his former club, opting for a muted acknowledgment of his faith instead. Palace manager Oliver Glasner remarked, “Allowing Eberechi Eze a free shot in the area often results in a goal. We were fortunate with such situations last year.”
After scoring, Arsenal remained strong defensively, with their primary threat coming from set pieces. Gabriel Magalhães nearly scored again, hitting the crossbar with a header.
Prior to the match, Glasner noted that his team was managing well without Eze, as they led the expected goals (xG) standings. However, against Arsenal, they could only muster an xG of 0.47 and recorded just one shot on target, courtesy of substitute Eddie Nketiah.
As of now, Arsenal has gone 385 minutes without conceding a goal, an impressive feat considering they lost center-back William Saliba to injury at halftime. New addition Piero Hincapié made his debut, showcasing the depth of the squad.
Though Eze’s goal led to a loss for Palace, fans acknowledged his contribution with applause as he left the field. He celebrated scoring his first league goal for Arsenal in his 13th appearance, complementing his tally of three assists this season.
Eze expressed his keenness to join Arsenal, having reached out to Arteta during a time when a move to Tottenham seemed imminent. This match could prove significant by the end of the season.
“We stand where we are,” Arteta stated regarding the six-point lead over Manchester City and a seven-point advantage over Liverpool. “It’s a testament to our consistency, but we know each match presents its own challenges. It’s essential we continue to perform at a high level.”
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