Arsenal star Eze comes back to haunt Palace
Arsenal moved four points clear at the Premier League summit as Eberechi Eze sealed a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Former Palace talisman Eze volleyed home his first league goal for Arsenal in the 39th minute at Emirates Stadium.
That was the only moment of real quality in a dour first half, though Mikel Arteta's team was unfortunate not to add to its lead after the interval.
Gabriel Magalhaes, who was excellent at both ends throughout, hit the crossbar, with Declan Rice's follow-up kept out on the line by Dean Henderson, while Bukayo Saka curled just wide.
Saka was almost presented with a tap-in by Leandro Trossard, whose nudge into the six-yard box was cleared at the last moment, while Viktor Gyokeres headed wide from a teasing Rice corner.
Ultimately, though, Eze's goal proved enough, as Palace suffered their third defeat in the space of four games in all competitions.
It is now six clean sheets in nine games for Arsenal in the league this season, with defensive solidity continuing to prove the bedrock for Arteta.
Arsenal has conceded just three goals. Compare that to widely tipped title rivals Liverpool (14) and Manchester City (seven), who both suffered defeats this weekend, and it is easy to see why Gunners fans may just be thinking this could be its year.
Arsenal, which picked up its 700th Premier League win, has collected 22 points already. It is the seventh time it has had 22 or more points at this stage of a campaign. In the previous six, however, the only time they went on to lift the title was in 2003-2004 (23 points after nine games).
