Player Ratings: Eberechi Eze Scores as Arsenal Beat Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Player Ratings as Arsenal Edge Past Crystal Palace

Arsenal claimed a narrow 1 to 0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium, with former Eagles talent Eberechi Eze providing the decisive moment. It was a cagey Premier League encounter with limited clear chances, yet it delivered enough intrigue to keep both sets of supporters engaged. The result keeps Arsenal firmly in the conversation for the European places, while Crystal Palace left north London feeling they could have taken something from the match.

Arsenal began brightly and moved the ball with confidence, but Palace were disciplined out of possession and frustrated the hosts for long spells. The breakthrough came from a set piece that was not dealt with convincingly. Declan Rice delivered a whipped free kick toward the back post, Gabriel Magalhaes made a faint connection, and the ball fell for Eze who applied a stylish finish. The attacking midfielder controlled his body superbly and executed a scissor-kick past Dean Henderson, who had no chance of stopping it.

Photo: IMAGO

Key Moments and Tactical Notes

Arsenal dominated possession after the interval, but the expected second goal did not arrive. Crystal Palace maintained their structure and waited for counter attacking opportunities, particularly through Jean Philippe Mateta, who was a physical presence up top.

Both managers made changes throughout the second half in search of more cutting edge. Arsenal introduced Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino, while Palace turned to Eddie Nketiah and Will Hughes to add fresh energy. Although the tempo rose briefly, neither side found the killer pass or finish to alter the scoreline.

Arsenal will be encouraged by their control in midfield, especially in the opening half, yet there was a lack of invention in the final third. Palace showed defensive resilience and Maxence Lacroix impressed with his reading of the game and aerial dominance.

Arsenal Player Ratings

David Raya 6Jurrien Timber 7William Saliba 4Gabriel Magalhaes 6Riccardo Calafiori 6Declan Rice 6Martin Zubimendi 5Leandro Trossard 5Eberechi Eze 7Bukayo Saka 6Viktor Gyokeres 6

Substitutes:Cristhian Mosquera 6Gabriel Martinelli 4Piero Hincapie 4Mikel Merino 4Myles Lewis Skelly 3

Manager: Arsenal 6

Crystal Palace Player Ratings

Dean Henderson 6Marc Guehi 7Chris Richards 7Maxence Lacroix 8Daniel Munoz 6Adam Wharton 7Daichi Kamada 5Tyrick Mitchell 6Yeremy Pino 5Ismaila Sarr 5Jean Philippe Mateta 8

Substitutes:Eddie Nketiah 7Will Hughes 4Jefferson Lerma 3Borna Sosa 3Christantus Uche 3

Manager: Crystal Palace 6

Verdict

Arsenal secured the points and maintained their composure in a tight Premier League clash, but they will know higher standards in the final third are required if they are to keep pace with the top clubs. Crystal Palace left with credit for their organisation and defensive commitment, especially from Lacroix and Richards, although they struggled to apply sustained pressure in the Arsenal half.