LONDON — These are the “magical moments” that Mikel Arteta talked about. it was like that armory what the boss once described Eberechi Eze Can help your team win 1-0 on Sunday crystal Palace This was the day when the prophecy became reality.
If there was any team that didn’t need reminding of the 27-year-old’s talent, it was Palace. His five years at Selhurst Park culminated with the winning goal in last season’s FA Cup final, a dramatic intervention to settle a tight game with a solitary goal.
But this time they were on the wrong end. Declan Rice In the 39th minute the free kick swung in and the loose ball fell to Eze, who expertly fired the ball into the corner; palace goalkeeper dean henderson did not move.
In a further twist of irony, this goal mirrors Eze’s strike for Palace in the same match last season: a 2–2 draw that cost Arsenal dearly Premier League Title charges. Six months later he made a decisive contribution as Arsenal moved four points clear at the top.
Was this, perhaps, a perfect example of those “magic moments” that Arteta identified in his £67.5 million acquisition? After all, Eze is being asked to compensate for the absence of Martin Odegaard, the captain who stitched together Arsenal’s best football.
“Yes, 100 per cent,” Arteta said afterwards. “To hit the ball the way he did. He did the same thing last year, but against us when he scored from that corner and straight on the post,” he said.
“So he has the ability to do that. We know against a team that defends with so many bodies, so physical, gives no space, the number 9 defends your best player, you have to create chaos or free up space in certain moments to create big chances. He took the ball and scored really well.
“That’s what big players do and he’s obviously a big player and hopefully this will give him a big boost and confidence to produce many more moments like this, because these are the moments that sometimes define a season.”
The importance of those magical moments cannot be underestimated given Arsenal’s pragmatic quest for glory, which has been based on flexible defense and a set-piece prowess that has remained ruthlessly efficient.
Somewhat inevitably, another deadlocked situation was involved. From the Palace’s perspective the entire situation was highly avoidable. Given that almost anyone with even the slightest interest in the game knows about Arsenal’s set piece record, Jeremy Pino’s decision to foul bukayo saka He was especially bad when he was going nowhere about 50 yards from the target.
This ultimately gave Eze the stage to perform and he was confused as to whether he should celebrate against his old club, ultimately deciding to launch a subdued version of his usual celebration in recognition of his Christian faith.
“When you give Eberechi Eze a free shot in the area, very often it leads to a goal,” Palace boss Oliver Glassner said, perhaps a touch of exasperation in his voice. “We often benefited from this situation last year.”
What happened after this was a repeat of what happened earlier. Arsenal defended strongly and their main threat continued to come from balls into the box, especially from corners. Gabriel Magalhaes Hit the crossbar with a header and then hit the post with a part of his body he surely would have preferred to save.
Before the game, explaining how well Palace were coping without Eze, Glasner pointed out that his team topped the expected goals (xG) table this weekend. His xG figure of 19.1 was clear of the next-best Manchester United (16.51), but here he managed only 0.47 and only one shot on target when he came on as a substitute. eddie nketiah forced goalkeeper David Raya In action in the 70th minute.
Now having gone 385 minutes without scoring a goal for Arsenal, a feat made all the more impressive by the fact that they lost a centre-back William Saliba New player got a late debut due to injury at half-time piero hincapie Back to the left, amid various changes.
Rice was also forced off late in the first half, which basically happened, but almost every week the Gunners achieve a new defensive milestone. This time he has played 100 games in all competitions without conceding more than two goals.
Despite scoring the goal which condemned his former team to defeat, Eze was still applauded off the field by Palace fans. He may have yet to truly ignite his Arsenal career after a string of goal-less performances, but his contributions have underlined the benefits of the squad depth the Gunners have added this summer.
In his 13th appearance, Eze scored his first league goal and added three assists, including an assist against Atlético Madrid in midweek. Its influence seems to be increasing.
Eze phoned Arteta directly to ask if Arsenal would make a move for him as they got closer to finalizing a deal with Tottenham. This time Eze answered Arteta’s call and made it an afternoon that could feel particularly momentous in May.
“We are where we were,” Arteta said as the six-point advantage slipped away Manchester City and a lead of seven points liverpool Was indicated. “It’s a credit to us because we’ve been very, very consistent, but also know the difficulty of every match. So it doesn’t really mean anything, except that we keep doing a lot of the things we’re doing really well.”
